Goodwood, England: Saeed Bin Surour, a former two-time champion trainer at Glorious Goodwood, on Friday bids to win the £130,000 (Dh745,708) Betfred Mile, the richest handicap run during the five day summer showpiece, with the progressive Basem.
A full-brother to Group 1 winning Farhh, Basem is looking to maintain the momentum following two smart performances at Sandown where he landed the Group 2 Celebration Mile on his last but one start.
In 2004 Bin Surour saddled Ancient World to become the first favourite to win this contest and the long-serving Godolphin handler will be hoping that the four-year-old son of Pivotal can repeat the feat and give him a 20th career victory at Glorious Goodwood.
Among the 19 rivals that Basem will confront is another Dubai-owned horse, Munaaser, who is trained by veteran handler Sir Michael Stoute.
Running in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Munaaser finished half a length behind Basem in the Coral Challenge (Handicap).
However, the son of New Approach has a two pound advantage over his Godolphin rival which will certainly strengthen his chances of reversing the form.
Other notable runners include Gm Hopkins, Chil The Kite, Donncha and So Beloved.
Bin Surour was champion trainer at Glorious Goodwood in 2004 (3 wins) and 1999 (4 wins). He has overall sent out 71 winners at the historic track since Tamayaz gave him a maiden victory back in 1995.
Moviesta is taken to win the Group 2 King George Stakes for the second time after 2013, but for the first time in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan.
The five-year-old sprinter previously won the event when trained by Bryan Smart and is now in the care of County Meath handler Eddie Lynam.
Jolly galloper Kingsgate Native, the oldest horse in the field at ten-years of age, captured the King George Stakes way back in 2009 and seeks to roll back the years for Robert Cowell.
Friday’s card kicks-off with the Group 3 Glorious Stakes where Connecticut can give owner Shaikh Mohammad Bin Obaid Al Maktoum, another big success following the Group 1 King George at Ascot last Saturday, when his Postponed won the prestigious contest.
Trainer Luca Cumani saddles the son of New Approach, who will be ridden by stable jockey Adam Kirby.
In what appears to be a very open race, Connecticut faces accomplished middle-distance horses like The Corsican, Dubday and Hillstar.
Godolphin’s Latharnach, who is trained by Charlie Appleby, looks to have strong claims in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Sakes.
