Arras to be pride of Bahrain

First run in 2019, the $1m Bahrain International Trophy has been benefit for Yorkshire trainers in recent years, thanks to back-to-back victories of Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer 12 months ago and Lord Glitters, trained by David O’Meara, four years ago.

- Ed Marnane

TOP FORM. Pride Of Arras has the form to win the $1-million Bahrain International Trophy over 2000m at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club today. Picture: BBC Sport.

(BBC Sport)

In this year’s renewal, Yorkshire-based trainer Karl Burke saddles Royal Champion and has booked James Doyle to ride the gelding, replacing regular rider Clifford Lee who is sidelined after a motorbike accident.

Owned and bred by Sheikh Obaid Al Maktoum, Royal Champion has thrived since joining Burke after a short spell based in Australia, winning three of his six races and producing arguably a career-high when third behind Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes. By Shamardal, he will be suited by the sound surface at Sakhir racecourse and holds leading claims.

Military Order, representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, demands respect under William Buick. He brings some decent British form to the race having been narrowly beaten in the Winter Hill Stakes and Rose of Lancaster Stakes, both Group 3 races.