Marvelman leads European challenge for 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh

Andrew Balding’s Marvelman is one of four European contenders in the 1351 Turf Sprint at Riyadh on Saturday.

Winner of the Park Stakes at Doncaster on his penultimate run over seven furlongs, he stepped up to a mile at Ascot on Champions Day but will be more at home over the unique 1351 metres in Saudi.

Balding’s wife and assistant Anna Lisa said: “When he won at Doncaster he was really very impressive. We’ve always liked him at home but we were delighted, it was just fantastic.

“Now he’s in new ownership and we wish the Bond Thoroughbred team a lot of luck with him as he should be a very fun horse to have.”

Mick Appleby’s Annaf, Donnacha O’Brien’s Comanche Brave and Jerome Reynier’s Royal Ascot winner Lazzat make up the European team.

In the Red Sea Turf Handicap, David O’Meara’s Epic Poet is out to go one better than last year.

Also second on his most recent outing in Meydan, the consistent gelding looks sure to go well again.

“I think his prep, especially going out to Dubai this year, has been better,” O’Meara said.

“I was very pleased with his first run in Dubai, so we’re very happy with him in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m unsure about the draw in 12, but we’re hopeful. He’s very versatile and can sit right behind the leaders or take his time in the back if they’re going hard.”

“He was unlucky not to get there last time at Meydan, so hopefully he gets a bit of luck in the running this time. We’ve got to know him a lot better since October/November of 2024. He’s about the same level of horse, he’s just had a better prep going into Dubai and onto Saudi Arabia this year.”

The Baldings are represented by Tarriance, last seen in the St Leger, and as he is owned by Juddmonte he will be viewed by many as a home runner given the late Khalid Abdullah was a Saudi native.

“It’s great having a Juddmonte horse out here,” Balding said. “He’s been a horse that didn’t run at two and just improved so much last year. He’s very straightforward and hopefully will enjoy the trip.

Ian Williams runs Real Dream, fifth in the Ebor to subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Ethical Diamond. He ran in the same race as Epic Poet in Meydan.

“The hope is that he can run as well as he did in the Ebor,” said Williams.

“We ran him in Dubai as a prep-race for here and he’s come out of that well. If you go back and watch the race, he travelled like the winner until 600m out and took a blow.

“He seems in very good form and would appear in good form, so we like to appear as a challenger. We have probably been lucky to sneak in as reserve, but I am really happy to be there.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud and Sons And Lovers, James Owen’s Burdett Road and Tom Clover’s Tabletalk are other familiar names taking part while the Melbourne Cup favourite, Presage Nocturne, runs for Alessandro Botti.

“He ran well in the Caulfield Cup where he finished fourth and then he was the leading chance for the Melbourne Cup,” said Botti.

“It was a big field, though, in the Melbourne Cup and it didn’t go to plan, which was a bit disappointing. However, he had a nice break after the race and has come back in great form. He loves to travel and he has matured since.”

Karl Burke’s Royal Champion will aim to follow up his win in Bahrain in the Neon Turf Cup in which Phantom Flight, Galen, Survie and Facteur Cheval all run.