Progressive Remorse looks best in Listed Entisar

The season cranks up a gear with the running of the Entisar, the opening Listed race of the campaign, at Meydan today.

First run in 2014, the 2000m contest on dirt has attracted a field of eight, with Saltarin Dubai, runner-up in the last two renewals, back for a fourth crack for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

Winner of the Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed), the highlight of his campaign last season, he has to overcome a lengthy absence and having turned nine in August, he makes little appeal in the hands of Richard Mullen.

Tadhg O’Shea, stable jockey for Seemar at Zabeel Stables, has elected to ride the exciting and progressive Remorse. By Dubawi, he made a winning comeback in a 1600m handicap at Jebel Ali last month, quickening readily to get the better of Tenbury Wells, the pair pulling a long clear of First Winter.

In February, Remorse impressed on his sole appearance on Meydan’s main track, winning a 2000m handicap in dominant fashion, a performance that was backed up by a quick time. He is fancied to handle the step-up in grade and will take plenty of stopping.

The RRR Racing owned Quip, formerly trained by Satish Seemar after a spell with Doug Watson, represents last year’s winning trainer, Salem bin Ghadayer.

The son of Distorted Humor, the highest rated horse in the field with a mark of 109, has largely struggled since arriving in the UAE and unless a switch to a new yard sparks a revival, he’s hard to fancy.

Doug Watson has a fantastic record in the Entisar, winning four of the eight renewals, the most recent with Cosmo Charlie three years ago.

The 2019 UAE Derby winner Plus Que Parfait has his first start for Watson and has the services of Pat Dobbs. Formerly trained by Brendan Walsh in the USA, he is winless since his shock victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown at Meydan.

Returning after a seven-month absence, he’s entitled to better for the race and is best watched.

In-form Ray Dawson rides Aydon Castle for his main employer, Ahmad bin Harmash. The horse ended last season by posting a career-best in the Abu Dhabi Championship, a Group 3 over 22000m on turf, when third behind Irish Freedom.

Previously Aydon Castle ran with credit on his dirt debut at Meydan, finishing less than nine lengths behind Remorse.

He is weighted to get closer to the winner with a 4.5 kg pull at the weights. From a yard going well, Aydon Castle shouldn’t be overlooked.