Dubai: The Dermott Weld-trained Alkasser will bid to join an illustrious list of horses who have won the Group 3 Gladness Stakes, a popular seven furlong contest run at The curragh in Ireland.
On his most recent start, the four-year-old son of Shamardal was only beaten a neck by Colour Blue in the Racing Again At Tipperary handicap at Triperary.
The mount of Pat Smullen, he faces ten rivals including last year’s winner Sruthan, Due Diligence, Smuggler’s Cove and Sovereign Debt.
Alkasser represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the UAE Minister of Finance, who won the race twice in the past with Mustameet (2005 & 2007).
Other famous winners of the contest include Nijinsky (1970), El Gran Senor (1984) and Giant’s Causeway (2000).
Sruthan was lacking class in the Lockinge (G1) won by Olympic Glory but he did show some ability when placing twice in Group 3 company.
“He’s in super form and should run a great race,” said the Curragh-based handler Paul Deegan.
Charlie Hills’, fresh from saddling Muhaarar to win the Greenham saddles Cable Bay, an impressive runner-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes on his final start last season
Dandy Nicholls relies on Sovereign Debt who was an unlucky loser at Lingfield on All-Weather Championship Finals Day.
“He’s come out of Lingfield well and with the ground drying we’ll go over and take our chance,” Nicholls said.
Deegan is also represented in the Listed Alleged Stakes with Aussie Valentine with Weld sending out smart Cork winner Massinga.
“I’d say we’ll run him. He is really well after the last day and we’ll see where we are at with him,” said Deegan.
Derby winning handler Jim Bolger’s runs Parish Hall and former French Derby runner-up Loch Garman.
Aussie Valentine was second in the Irish Lincolnshire first time out and won a handicap at Leopardstown last week.
“I’d say we’ll run him. He is really well after the last day and we’ll see where we are at with him,” said Deegan.
