While riders from the UAE will no doubt be starting as favourites in tomorrow's World Cup Endurance, Saudi Arabia's Tarek Taher is the one Arab from outside the UAE who is a respected competitor.

One of the most competitive riders on the international circuit, Taher, is a very popular rider in Europe, particularly in Spain and France.

"Thursday's ride is really going to be very competitive as the event has drawn a strong field. A few new horses who are reported to be very promising will be appearing here and competition is bound to be very tough," said Taher, speaking to Gulf News on the ride route yesterday.

Driving with his crew, Taher was having a good look at the various stages of tomorrow's 130-km event in which he brings his trusted horse Namouk Du Dacour. Namouk Du Dacour, a 17-year-old Chestnut gelding, won the Qatar World Cup with Taher in 1997 apart from quite a few other rides.

"I have been here since a few days and my horse has looked promising. We hope to do well," added the Saudi ace.

Taher, who won the silver medal at the European Open Championship when UAE took the team gold, feels apart from the UAE, Australia and the U.S. riders will be tough to beat.

"I have heard that General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, has a good prospect while the Americans have also come here with good horses. The Australian horses as always are very good and so a good championship is on the cards," said Taher, who himself will be starting off as one of the favourites.

Taher, who has won rides at home and in Spain, France apart from the Qatar triumph has had a long break since the world championship in Compiegne last August.

Another rider from the Arab world who will be looking to make a mark is Jordan's Abid Fateh. On the rounds yesterday with his horse Alan, Abid is currently Jordan's top-ranked rider. "I have completed four 160-kilometre rides and Alan is a very good horse," said Abid, who has also taken part in rides in France and Egypt.

Abid, who finished 35th in the last world championship in France in August 2000, says the familiar conditions will be of help to his chances here on Thursday. "I have been through this terrain here before and past experience will help me and I hope to do well," added Abid.