Charpy moves into racing spotlight

Visiting Newmarket trainer Paul Howling will be hoping to grab a share of the attention when he saddles the much-raced Topton in today's main event at Nad Al Sheba.

But the spotlight is likely to focus on Frenchman Erwan Charpy, the Dubai-based trainer who has hit top form.

Howling will be making his first appearance in Dubai together with Topton, a seven-year-old by Royal Academy who has made over 86 career starts, including 27 last season alone. This was be the gelding's second start of the year, having less than a month ago finished fourth in a handicap at the Lingfield all-weather.

A big-built colt who is reportedly at his best over a mile, Topton will, however, have to cope with Charpy's highly-regard Rayyaan, who looks the clear favourite to win the 0-90 handicap.

Eleven horses go to the post, including other leading contenders Almandab, Ten Kingdoms, Qamous and Shather.

Rayyaan, a four-year-old by Cadaeux Genereux, won three races on the trot early last season in the UK. But his bid for a four-timer came unstuck in the ABN Amro Stakes Showcase Handicap at Goodwood. He was given a mid-season break, before reappearing to take second place behind Cantina in a competitive handicap at Chester last August. Rayyaan struggled to reproduce his impressive juvenile form when well-beaten in the Tote Trifecta Stakes Showcase Handicap at Ascot late September. After another unsuccessful start at Newmarket in October, he was shipped out to Charpy's yard in Nad Al Sheba.

The biggest threat to Rayyaan could come from stablemate Shather, a consistent type who has only disappointed once in four starts, when last of nine behind Canyonlands.

Dhruba Selvaratnam's Almandab, improving with every run, can go close as also Paddy Rudkin's useful performer Ten Kingdoms.

However, Rayyaan's class should carry him through, with Shather and Almandab occupying the lower placings. The 0-70 handicap also looks an interesting race with eight runners, including Nick Robb's Bathwick, going to post.

Bathwick is a pint-sized colt with a big heart. Though yet to win this season he has ran some promising races, none more than when taking second place behind Tanusius last month. On his reappearance at Jebel Ali, a track which might not have been in his favour, Bathwick placed fourth to Fatek. He runs with a big chance today for rider Billy Newnes.

Abshurr and Nassaab, two colts trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, should also run prominently.

The former was an improving fourth to Samood three weeks ago, while Nassaab seemed to have a little more in the tank when fourth to Qawaqeb over a mile. Both horses can expected to improve for those efforts.

Peter Brette also saddles Aesops with a chance. The Diesis five-year-old has disappointed a bit this season, but is capable of a much better performance which could come under Willie Ryan today.

Charpy could land the Purebred Arabian Maiden's race with one of three runners, Oceanara, Jelzid and Tidja, while McLaughlin's Aslaaf looks a cinch in the maiden's sprint for thoroughbreds.