TEN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AT MEYDAN ON FRIDAYKONG

Flying French grey Batwan is one of several star attractions as Meydan Racecourse hosts a bumper eight-race card on Friday,

Horses from ten different countries clash at this fourth meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, including from France where trainer Nicolas Caullery is based.

He has three runners, including Batwan (pictured) who puts his perfect Dubai record on the line when going for a third 1200metre turf win in the Listed Dubai Sprint (Presented by Longines), race two. The eight-year-old is looked after at Meydan by Caullery’s partner and assistant Marine Henry, who issued an upbeat bulletin.

“Batwan is back in his home, he loves Dubai,” she said. “He settled in like a superstar and worked really well. He hasn’t raced since the beginning of October so he may need the race and it’s also stronger than the two he won here last year.

“We hope to get our revenge and get to the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint this year.”

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Man Of Promise was third in the Al Quoz last year and rates as one of the biggest dangers to Batwan, having finished runner-up to Lazuli in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash over 1000metres three weeks ago.

“Man Of Promise has definitely come forward for his first start of the year and has a good draw in 14,” said Appleby. “Stepping back up to six furlongs [1200m] will play to his strengths and I feel he is the one they all have to beat.”

An open race also sees UAE newcomer Nahaarr take his chance for Michael Costa, while Ahmad Bin Harmash’s Thunder Of Niagara makes a quick return after winning over 1000metres last week.

The official feature is the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes (Presented by Longines), which is a good prep for the Gr2 Godolphin Mile with Heavy Metal in 2018 and Secret Ambition in 2021 winning both races in recent years.

Champion Trainer Bhupat Seemar runs three of the eight-strong field. Stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea opts to partner Law Of Peace, with Antonio Fresu on Discovery Island and Ray Dawson on Imperial Empire.

Twice a winner over course and distance, Naser Askar’s Law Of Peace makes his seasonal debut here, having been last seen winning the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship in March.

“Law Of Peace is having his first run, but he’s beaten Discovery Island and he’s a very versatile horse as to distance and surface,” said Seemar. “He’s drawn a bit wide [8], but he’s going to come from behind so that’s OK.

“Discovery Island has drawn one. He was second in the G2 Maktoum Challenge R1 and I think he’s a better horse than last year.

He should run a good race.”

Imperial Empire reverts to a mile after finishing ninth in the G3 Dubawi Stakes last time out and Seemar is confident this will suit him.

“Imperial Empire is doing great as well,” he said. “Unfortunately, in the 1200metre Dubawi Stakes the sprinters were out of the gate and gone, so he couldn’t really get involved. I think this is where he belongs.”

Rivals to the Seemar trio include Prince Eiji, fifth in Maktoum Challenge R1 last time out, and his Doug Watson-trained stablemates Everfast and Thegreatcollection, while Salem Bin Ghadayer brings out two recruits from the UK, Ever Given and Mister Saint Paul.