No Risk Al Maury billed as favourite in Arabian Gr1

Dubai: No Risk Al Maury from trainer Gillian Duffield's yard, the horse that kick-started action in Meydan here with a win on the opening night of this year's Dubai International Racing Carnival, looks like the horse to beat in tonight's Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Tamayuz.

The 8-year-old son of Kesberoy is one of the five runners owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance, and after his impressive win in the opening round of the Maktoum Challenge, will be starting off as the favourite tonight under Richard Hills.

Tonight's race is the final preparation for the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1) on World Cup night and despite 2008 winner Mizzna and 2009 winner Fryvolous skipping it, has attracted a quality field with Kandar Du Falgas, Santhal, Paris Gagner, Arsene Rupin (all owned by Shaikh Hamdan), UAE debutants Karmel De Faust and Theoretically and Rabbah De Carrere part of the 14-horse field.

Duffield, who saddled four consecutive Kahayla winners between 2004 and 2007, including a hat-trick by Madjani, is aiming at ensuring that No Risk Al Maury wins on March 27.

Speaking to Gulf News yesterday on No Risk Al Maury's preparation for tonight's race, Duffield said: "I am quite happy. He has been keeping himself in good shape. He is very eager at training and one of those easy and laidback types."

Commenting on the absence of some of the genuine Kahayla contenders in tonight's race, Duffield said: "I think it is good if a prep race is not very tough. However, this was always our plan to run him in the first and final rounds of the Maktoum Challenge before the Kahayla," said Duffield, who is one of the leading Purebred Arabian trainers in the UAE.

Duffield feels No Risk Al Maury will run better on the Tapeta since her debut on the surface in January.

"It is quick and nice and he will love it," she said.

Doug Watson's pair of Kandar Du Falgas and Paris Gagner and Erwan Charpy's duo of Santhal and Arsene Rupin come in with some strong credentials while Russian raider Karmel De Faust and Group 1 campaigner Theoretically, making their UAE debut, could need this run ahead of the Kahayla.