Happy Today can be a Classic case of long-shot winner at Newmarket

Dubai: While all eyes are likely to be on red-hot favourite Frankel in tomorrow's Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, one man will have his binoculars trained on a lightly-raced colt who is bidding to defy odds of 100/1 and win the first Classic of the British season.

Dubai-based businessman Jaber Abdullah is a highly-respected owner in the world of horse racing and even though his Guineas hope, Happy Today, is considered a ‘long-shot', most of the rival connections will not risk writing-off his chances.

Abdullah, whose horses race under the banner of Rabbah Bloodstock, has an impressive record in Britain and he will be hoping that Happy Today can build on that reputation and upstage some of the best three-year-olds in today's 1,600m contest.

Trained by Brian Meehan, Happy Today will be making the fourth start of his career having prepped for tomorrow's Classic test with an eye-catching performance in a Listed contest at Newmarket's Rowley Mile track two weeks ago where he was only beaten by a head by the Mark Johnston-trained Doordogne.

Hot contest

Prior to that the son of leading Kentucky stallion Gone West won his maiden on only the second attempt, outracing 14 rivals in a hot contest at Bath racecourse.

Obviously, Happy Today will have a lot to find in tomorrow's race where he faces the likes of ½ favourite Frankel, 9/4 second favourite Pathfork and the Godolphin duo of Casamento and Saamidd.

But Meehan, who in 2006 won the Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) at Nad Al Sheba with David Junior, is not afraid of taking on the best of the Classic generation as he bids to win his first 2,000 Guineas. "Happy Today fully deserves to take his chance and looks much better than a 66-1 shot [with Betfred] after his valiant effort in the Fielden Stakes over the course two weeks ago," the Manton-based handler said on his website.

Bright prospect

"He has come on a lot for the run and is working well. Whatever his fate here, he should enjoy success for the rest of the year."

Rabbah Bloodstock was set up in 2006 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Beside Jaber Abdullah, Rabbah Bloodstock has high-profile UAE-based owners such as 2003 Epsom Derby-winner Saeed Suhail and multiple Group 1 winning owner Saeed Manana, on its portfolio.

Abdullah is best known as the owner of three-time Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmain and Music Show, winner of the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes.

He is also represented in Sunday's Qipco 1,000 Guineas with Majestic Dubawi, a smart winner of last September's Group 3 Laundry Cottage Stud Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr, and Show Rainbow, who was a noteworthy fourth in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Group 3) at Newmarket earlier this month. Last season, Rabbah Bloodstock sent out a record 157 winners in Britain, while Abdullah finished ninth overall in the owner's championship with 33 winners.

Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Abdullah, who owns Frankel, is the champion owner with 74 wins.

RESULTS

Latest odds English 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

Frankel (4/7) , Pathfork (34/5) , Roderic OConnor (11) , Casamento (15) , Native Khan (19) , Fury (24) , Saamidd (41) , Dubawi Gold (53) , Loving Spirit (77) , Rerouted (117) , Happy Today (137) , Broox (150) , Slim Shadey (219)