Arabian Racing Review
KEMPTON PARK 2nd JULY
by Paul Simmons

Come Racing At Newbury Premier Handicap 0-95 Stakes over 6 Furlongs:
Merwah (bred by HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd) started the proceedings in controversial form dumping the jockey poor Eddie Hern before the start. However, undeterred this rapidly improving mare owned by long time Arab racing stalwart John Elliot has a huge amount of ability and full credit to Helen Bona for training her so well this season. Merwah (Bengali D’Albret x Aksarka), who was second last week to Mustajib, was settled mid field under a positive ride from Eddie Ahern, as the pace quickened inside the final two furlongs her brought this talented mare with a run and she quickened clear to show a smart turn of foot to win going away by just under two lengths. Merwah is entered in the Group 1 Hatta Stakes and could be even more interesting stepped back up in trip (she won at Nottingham on her seasonal debut over 10 furlongs). Back in second was the Bill Smith trained Aberfeldy (Amer x Zeinah) who won well at Nottingham over 6 furlongs in May, she was always prominent and made a bold bid for victory inside the final furlong but couldn’t quite catch the winner, she remains a useful mare to follow this season. Whilst the ultra smart Angel Picamer (Amer x Picea HT) was coasting in behind the leaders but seemed to get tapped for toe inside the final few furlongs, however, she battled on strongly inside the final furlong and kept on for third ahead of a rapidly tiring Shuhood.