Maraahel set for another crack at Emirates Airline Champion
Friday 12th October, 2007
Maraahel wins The Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot. Picture by Steve Cargill.
MARAAHEL is likely to be handed a third chance to bid for glory in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, Angus Gold - racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum - has outlined.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is reported to be happy with the six-year-old who is a ‘possible’ for the Champions’ Day feature race on October 20 at the NatWest Rowley Mile.
The six-year-old entire by Alzao finished third, only beaten two lengths by David Junior when running in the Group 1 in 2005.
Twelve months ago he lined up once more in the famous 1m 2f race and ended up well beaten back in sixth as Pride took the honours.
Maraahel’s 2007 campaign has been his best ever with three Pattern-race victories, including Royal Ascot joy in the Hardwicke Stakes.
Since then Stoute’s charge has been third in the King George and fifth of six behind Dylan Thomas in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Gold said: "Maraahel is a possible for the Champion Stakes. Sir Michael says the horse is in great form.”
The racing manager also mentioned that impressive Newmarket maiden winner Makaaseb could reappear in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes sponsored by Seriousquitters.co.uk.
The Pulpit filly is a 25-1 shot with the sponsors for next year’s Stan James 1000 Guineas on the back of last month’s three-quarters-of-a-length victory over Queen Of Naples, subsequently seventh in the Prix Marcel Boussac.
If she does take her place in the Group 2 won last year by Finsceal Beo and in 2005 by Speciosa, it will mean a step back in trip from a mile to seven furlongs.
Gold said: “Makaaseb made an encouraging debut and is a possible for the Rockfel. The plan is to work her this weekend and then make a decision.”
In other Champions’ Day news, Passage Of Time has been confirmed an intended runner in the Champion Stakes by owner Khalid Abdulla’s racing manager Lord Grimthorpe.
Her trainer Henry Cecil is likely to be double-handed in the race with four-year-old colt Multidimensional also poised to line up.
By Tony Rushmer