Dubai: Pat Dobbs rode an absolute blinder aboard long-shot Desert Force to deny James Doyle and Strong Chemistry victory in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap at Newbury on Friday.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Godolphin-owned Strong Chemistry hit the front two furlongs out before he was pegged back by the winner who was ridden strongly in the 200 metres.

Capel Path swooped late under Ryan Moore, wearing the colous of Queen elizabeth, to take third place 1 1/4 further back.

Meanwhile, Dubai-owned 2,000 Guineas hopefuls Belardo and Estidhkaar go head-to-head in what looks a strong renewal of the Group 3 Greenham Stakes on Saturday.

Owned in partnership by Godolphin and Prince A.A. Faisal the colt recorded an upset victory in the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Europe’s premier two-year-old contest at Newmarket last October before he ended his juvenile career as the highest-rated two-year-old to race in Europe.

Roger Varian, who trains the exciting colt at his Kremiln House stable at Newmarket, Suffolk, said: “I have been happy with Belardo throughout the winter and he has trained well this spring.

“I have always had it in my mind to run him in the Greenham as his prep race for the 2000 Guineas and I think it will put him just right for Newmarket in two weeks’ time.

“He showed in the Dewhurst that he is a very high-class colt and this looks like the ideal spot to launch his three-year-old campaign,” the trainer told his website.

Belardo will race in the Godolphin silks and will be ridden by the stable’s retained rider James Doyle, who issued an upbeat bulletin ahead of Saturday’s race.

“I sat on him last week. He did a nice routine piece, it was my first sit on him and he seems nice and straightforward,” the jockey told At The Races.

“He’s a horse with a turn of foot and looks like he’s got all the credentials. I couldn’t fault him the other morning.”

His main rivals appear to be the Richard Hannon-trained duo of Ivawood, the 5/1 second favourite for the Guineas, and 16/1 chance Estidhkaar.

The champion trainer is reoprtedly pleased with Ivawood’s build up and told At The Races: “He’s [Ivawood] in great form. He looks very well. We’ve been happy with his work. He’s been doing a lot of it with Shifting Power and Estidhkaar.

“He’s moving great and he always looked a horse for this year anyway, even when he was winning last year.

“We are very hopeful. I think the track will suit him ideally. We didn’t go to Newmarket because we wanted to run over seven before we went over a mile in the Guineas and he doesn’t have a penalty. It’s a good opportunity for us,” he added.

“He’ll definitely stay seven. He has got an awful lot of speed and it is a concern. We won’t know until tomorrow or possibly not even until the afternoon of the Guineas.

“He does give himself every chance of getting a mile. He settles, he relaxes and he’s uncomplicated. I’m hopeful, but not confident.”

Stable jockey Richard Hughes said he was looking forward to riding Ivawood: “He seems very well, things have gone according to plan and he’s moving absolutely wonderful,” the jockey told Racing UK.

“He’s not much bigger than he was last year because he was big enough. He looks really well, his coat is nearly there, but there is a bit of improvement left in him. I would like to think that the run at Newbury will bring him on, although he is fit enough to win. I’d be disappointed if he got beat and if he wins, it’s all systems go for the Guineas.”

Assessing Estidhkaar’s chances Hannon added: “Estidhkaar will definitely get the mile. He was winning over seven furlongs last year and he represents the biggest danger to Ivawood,” said the Marlborough handler.

“I’ve been particularly pleased with Estkdhkaar. When he came back from Newmarket he had a tiny hairline fracture.

“He didn’t run his race so there were excuses that day. Physically he’s done probably the best of all of them and they’ve only being doing work on the bridle so in terms of choosing between the two, it would be very difficult.

“I’m very happy with both of them and I’d be disappointed if they both didn’t go close on Saturday and in the Guineas.”

Estidhkaar is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who is also represented by Fannaan and Muhaarar in the Greenham.