Fontwell Park 16th June Arabian Racing Review:
By Paul Simmons

Race 1 – The Mrs Calvert Memorial Maiden over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
The impeccably bred and evens favourite Mutafanen (Makzan x Simooma (Vadeer)) won with some authority pulling clear in the final furlong under a strong ride from Champion jockey Phil Collington to give trainer Gill Duffield and owner HH Sheikh Hamdan a good start to the day. The winner holds a Derby entry and it will be interesting to see him line up. Two and half lengths back in second was the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Bashiq (Makzan x Mubarakah) who stuck determinedly to his task inside the final furlong to hold onto second just half a length ahead of impressive debutant Aberfeldy (Amer x Zeinah (Samsheik)). Gill Plumbley’s useful looking mare Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica) was staying on well in fourth.

Race 2 – The Secure Site UK Handicap Stakes over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Phil Collington secured his second win of the day for trainer Gill Duffield and HH Sheikh Hamdan when riding a confident race on the favourite Taabeer (Vasilisk x Bisbille) in the stayers handicap, he always looked in command and is at the top of his game this season. Back in second was stablemate Muzmin (Pepe Le Moco x Synaps) who was eight lengths adrift on the line but three lengths clear of the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Badee (Al Masroor x Morjanah).

Race 3 – The Powells Of Coolham Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
A well deserved win for talented first UK season trainer Julian Smart when Mr A Al Siyabi rode a determined victory on the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Nahdah (Amer x Budoor) who was made to pull out all the stops to get up on the line by the shortest of heads from Bill Smith’s talented newcomer Chazan (Makzan x Aicha Croixnoire). Back in third was Gill Duffield’s racing debutant Furaat (Djebbel x Mandoline Song) who kept on determinedly from Karang (Karmah x CR Angel Kate).

Race 4 – The BXPS Racing Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
They went a decent pace in this staying handicap but with three furlongs to go the race was between the market leaders Fair Deed Dash, Kizhi and El Chenz. Inside the final two furlongs Steve Harrison drove El Chenz into the lead but Kizhi wasn’t going to be denied and the two pulled clear of Fair Deed Dash with Kizhi (Khairouan x Sucha) under an inspired ride from Champion jockey Phil Collington just getting up on the line by a half length from El Chenz. Kizhi ran well under top weight to give trainer Sam Davison and owner Linda Cross their first win of the season. El Chenz (Chatanz x Elita (Galeon)) lost nothing in defeat and remains on the upgrade, whilst Fair Deed Dash (Dedja Des Forges x TFA Ashajan) ran well on her seasonal debut and will be sharper next time out.

Race 5 – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-80 over 7 Furlongs:
The luckless Wahchi wasn’t going to be denied in close run race and duly opened his account to repay trainer Bill Smiths faith in him. CS Khan set a blistering pace from the start going several lengths clear in the early stages, as he got tired in the home straight Wahchi and Roches Du Cayrou swept past before fighting out the finish in the final furlong, with Wahchi (Vadeer x Synaps) refusing to be denied this time and winning by a cosy three lengths on the line under a power packed ride from Simon Walker. Roches Du Cayrou (Newday x Kahinaoura) looks to be coming to hand for owner trainer Delyth Thomas, and was two lengths clear of CS Khan (Khairoaun x Cikada (Klarnet)) who ran a very brave race to finish third ahead of Cal Mora Pretender.

Race 6 – The Clark Brownscombe Open Race over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
Hot favourite Fraternity (Grand Lodge x Catawba) scored his hatrick with the minimum of fuss for owner/trainer/ jockey Miss K James, always in command he wound the tempo up in the straight and powered six lengths clear of Sue Connally’s useful looking Inchmarlow (Cape Cross x Glenstal Priory), who finished four lengths ahead of Cordage (Dr Fong x Flagship).

Race 7 – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile:
16/1 shot Gazal caused an upset when winning on his handicap debut much to the bookers delights who must have been hammered by a succession of favourite’s coming in. Gazal (Sambist x Body Heat) wasn’t disgraced in either his maidens but the penny appears to have dropped and he fought a gallant battle to the line to hold on a neck from the battle hardened Mehshiv, to give trainer David Paton and the BXPS team their first winner of the season. Mehshiv (Normativ x Mehsha) is a little war horse and was desperately unlucky not to get up on the line, his turn is near. Whilst back in third was Delyth Thomas’s ever consistent Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) who held on by a length from Carol Legg’s Mushammer.

Race 8 – The Penn Challenge Handicap (AA & PBA) over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Philip Greenwood who had such a good season last year started as he means to go on when sending out smart anglo handicapper Currupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) who clearly appreciated the good to soft ground, she kicked clear in the final furlong under a positive ride from Sam Holdsworth to give Mrs Mason her first Arab racing winner. Tamagotchi (Lord David S x Fleurbienka) was staying on determinedly in second and should be winning soon, whilst the favourite Madrison (L’Estragon x Madrisa) was slightly disappointing eight lengths back in third.