Tom Clover expects Al Nayyir to give a good account of himself when he tackles the Dubai Gold Cup for the second time today.
The high-class stayer finished down the field in a slowly-run renewal of the Group Two contest 12 months ago, but Clover feels his charge is in better form ahead of World Cup night this time around having landed the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan last month.
“Hopefully he’s in good shape, he seems to have really thrived out there training and looks super.
He’s well forward in his coat now so it’s all systems go for today,” said the Newmarket handler.
“He stayed out there after his last win and I think he enjoys the warmer climate.
Obviously it’s going to be tough – Al Riffa is a very good horses and there’s lots of other horse you can make a case for – but hopefully if he can put his best forward and overcome his wide draw, he should run with plenty of credit.
“Let’s hope it’s a good, even gallop compared to last year, when they hacked round and then sprinted.
“Last year he went to Saudi and then came back to Dubai and it’s hard to do that.
Touch wood he seems in better form this year, having won the Nad Al Sheba Trophy, and the extra two furlongs should suit him better as well.”
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