Tonight's Al Shindagah Sprint Prep looks likely to be a cracking contest. The ten runners include some of the most progressive sprinters in the UAE and the race will doubltess prove an excellent trial for the Prestige race to be run on January 3, 2002.

A mark of how strong a race this is comes from the fact that all the runners are rated 75 and above and as a result finding the winner is just as much about identifying potential as achievement.

However, having said that, it appears that the race will be fought out between the top four horses in a field of ten, which include Flight Pattern, Mutamayyaz, Countless and Conroy.

Flight Pattern, a two race winner last season, has struggled to reproduce that form in two starts this year when finishing fourth twice.

But in his most recent outing the Australian-bred six-year-old was unlucky in running and was boxed in, in a tight finish between top sprinters like Vulpix, Glad Master and Mutamayyaz. On that score he deserves another chance to restore his credentials for trainer Keith Hawtin.

Mutamayyaz, was also a trifle unlucky in that race after scoring an impressive win at the Jebel Ali Racecourse.

Held in high regard by his trainer Paddy Rudkin, the four-year-old son of Nureyev is being aimed at the major sprint races this season and tonight's performance will indicate just how he measures up in top company.

Countless gets my vote on the strength of his gallant victory over a top field that included Yajree and Scocerer's Wit at this distance just over a month ago. The Danzig colt has been well rested since and should be seen as a serious contender.

Conroy is the new kid on the block, but one with a big heart. The Gone West son began the season by finishing second to Rezif over six furlong but when produced three weeks later by trainer Adityan Selvaratnam he showed a nice pair of heels to claim victory.

Also contesting today's sprint are former champion Ramp And Rave and his stable companion Maidaan, the Bahraini raiders Poker-B and Yaruba, San Salvador and Moonis, who twice finished second to Flight Pattern last season.

I expect Countless to win from Mutamayyaz and Flight Pattern.

Another interesting race on the cards is a 65-90 handicap which sees six runners go to the post.

There is little to chose between the likes of Meshty, Mustafhel, Martello Tower, Just Call Me and Gayer, though it's hard not to get sweet on Paddy Rudkin's Mustafhel, who followed up his three wins last season by hacking home three weeks ago.

Elsewhere champion trainer Satish Seemar's four-time winner last season, Mushaagib, comes up against other highly rated Purebred Arabians including Al Reef, Parador, Sarrabe and Taj al Moulouk.

Nick Robb's Clodion takes his first start in 10 months in a good looking handicap that has also attracted former Italian Derby winner Mukhalif, previous winner Mudaa-Eb and Paris Sport.

The race is likely to be a prep for the Jebel Ali Stakes which will be run on December 21.

Today's Nad Al Sheba Race Card