1. Home
  2. /

    News
  3. /

    Al Nayyir will perform in this Listed event on the Rowley Mile
Al Nayyir will perform in this Listed event on the Rowley Mile
Horse Racing. Source: shutterstock.com/ru/g/Dziurek

Al Nayyir will perform in this Listed event on the Rowley Mile

Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir will aim to bounce back from a narrow defeat at York in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket.

The Dubai Gold Cup runner-up is a valuable addition to Clover’s Kremlin House string and showcased his talent on a stable debut by pushing Vauban to the limit in the Lonsdale Cup. After being narrowly beaten by a short head at the Knavesmire, connections are reassured that they have a strong contender in the staying division.

Clover is keen for Al Nayyir to perform well in this Listed event on the Rowley Mile before returning to tougher competition at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day in October. "Al Nayyir is in great shape; I’m very pleased with him, and he’s trained well since York," Clover said. "I’m looking forward to his run, and I just hope the rain overnight isn’t too heavy. It seems there might be some rain, but I’m unsure how much."

"He seems in good spirits, and with a bit of luck, he’ll put in a big performance tomorrow. Ascot on Champions Day is the plan, so we hope it all works out."

Dermot Weld’s Harbour Wind is also looking to secure a spot for Champions Day, having already won at Listed level this year. He arrives after finishing second in the Group Three Prix Gladiateur earlier this month. Fiona Craig, racing adviser for owners Moyglare Stud Farm, noted, "Since he’s already won a Listed race this year, he’ll carry a penalty, so he’ll need to give weight to some strong contenders. The ground should be fine."

"We haven’t had much rain in Ireland since June, and it’s been fast ground, which doesn’t suit him. If he runs on firm ground, he’ll struggle the next day. We’ve been trying to avoid Kyprios since they share ownership, so it didn’t make sense to enter him in the Irish Leger. We’ve been waiting for this opportunity, and if he runs well, we might consider the stayers’ race at Ascot on Champions Day."

Aidan O’Brien will send over Fighter, who is seeking a hat-trick after impressive wins at the Curragh and Leopardstown. Almost half of the seven-horse field consists of Irish raiders, including Gordon Elliott’s Samui. Andrew Balding’s Night Sparkle, who was the runner-up in the Park Hill, Jamie Osborne’s Drawn To Dream, and Archie Watson’s Beamish round out the field.

Get the latest news to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter

We value your privacy and promise not to distribute your email to third parties.