Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, is in bullish mood as he prepares to run Kieren Fallon's mount, Al Zir, in Saturday's Derby, the premier British Classic of the season.
The imposing son of Medaglia D'Oro has always been held in high regard by the Dubai-based racing team and finished third in the Racing Post Trophy behind St Nicholas Abbey on his final start last season.
He was disappointing in the 2,000 Guineas this season, but bin Suroor expects the step up in distance and the booking of Fallon to prove crucial.
"We're happy to use Kieren, he's a very good jockey. It's great to use him and he rides Epsom very well. He's won many races there," bin Suroor told At The Races television channel.
"He's a great jockey and he's in good form now. We've talked to him and he's happy to ride for us.
"I've liked this horse since last year. He's a good-looking animal and his work always showed some class. He won at Newmarket and Doncaster and was third in the Racing Post Trophy.
"I was disappointed with him in the Guineas, but he's come back from the race very well.
"He has grown from last year and his last piece of work when Frankie [Dettori] rode him on the watered gallop was very good and I was really happy with him. A mile-and-a-half, I think, will suit him.
"He didn't show in the Guineas what he had been showing us at home, he was working really well and improving all the time.
"He's the best he's ever been and if he's good enough, he'll win. I'm so happy with the horse, he's running over the right distance, is in good condition and good form and we are looking to see a good run from him.
"He's a big horse. I'm hope he gets into a nice position and I think he will handle the course."
* Agencies
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
Poacher
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
