Strong Dubai contingent at York and Newmarket racecourse

Dubai - Godolphin are double-handed at Newmarket with Old Persian and Al Dabaran, while Encipher, Dubai Love and Lake Lucerne make up a three-pronged attack at the races at York

Godolphin have a strong contingent of horses who will be competing in Group 2 and Group 3 contests at York and Newmarket in the UK on Thursday.
The Dubai racing operation are double-handed at Newmarket with Old Persian and Al Dabaran in action, while Encipher, Dubai Love and Lake Lucerne make up a three-pronged attack at the races at York.
Encipher will contest the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, while Dubai Love and Lake Lucerne have been entered in the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.
British handler Charlie Appleby sends out Al Dabaran in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes and Old Persian, the 2019 Dubai Sheema Classic winner, in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes.
And Appleby is hoping that the five-year-old son of the blue-blooded Dubawi will return to winning ways after a fifth place finish in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last month.
"We were a little disappointed with Old Persian in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud but it was his first start after a long layoff and he has shown signs of coming forward for the run," said Appleby, who turned 45 on Sunday.
"We are applying cheek pieces and hopefully it can rekindle some of the form he showed last year," he added.
Prior to the Old Persian's run, Al Dabaran will be aiming to clinch a spot in the Group 1 St Leger when he races in the Bahrain Trophy.
"We were pleased with Al Dabaran's first try over an extended trip at Royal Ascot and he has definitely improved for his first start of the year," Appleby said of Al Dabaran, who finished third in the Group 2 Queen's Vase.
"We feel that he is a live contender in a race that should suit," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com