Saudi International Handicap winner Gran Descans will return to action at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, October 31, when he contests the SAR150,000 Eastern Governance Region Cup over 2,400 metres. The British import will make his first appearance since February, while Sayyah will aim to extend his winning streak to four consecutive races in a competitive weekend feature.
Gran Descans will have Camilio Ospina in the saddle for the final race on Saturday after claiming the Saudi International Handicap during The Saudi Cup weekend on February 13. Previously partnered by French jockey Mickael Barzalona, the runner had finished third in the Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup before securing victory for the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons.
The return will bring Gran Descans back into the spotlight after an extended break, but the opposition will include stablemate Sayyah (USA), the highest-rated runner in the field and a contender arriving in strong form.
Gran Descans Faces Sayyah in the Saudi International Handicap Weekend Feature
Sayyah will seek a fourth consecutive victory after winning the Red Sea Turf Qualifier in January. The four-year-old will strengthen the White Stable’s challenge in the 2,400-metre contest and will provide a significant test for Gran Descans on his return.
Direct Security (IRE) will also line up with a chance to improve after an underwhelming performance two weeks ago. The runner previously finished second in the Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup before taking eighth place in the Group 1 Howden Neom Turf Cup.
The Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz will rely on Arpenteur (IRE) and El Jabartee (IRE), adding further depth to the field.
The preceding race will be the SAR150,000 Asia Cup for fillies and mares over 1,400 metres, where Nowafaa (KSA) will lead the White Stable’s challenge under Ospina.
The former Taif Cup Fillies winner will arrive following an impressive victory in a conditions race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in August. She will bring a record of six wins from 11 starts into the contest.
Misaaeel (KSA), owned by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, will seek to reverse the previous result after finishing more than six lengths behind Nowafaa in August. Muhammad Aldaham will take the ride.
Fallat Kheir (KSA), runner-up in the King Khalid Racecourse Championship, will provide the White Stable with another contender. Kawafill (KSA) will also enter the race with a notable record, having won the King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion in January. Although the runner finished fifth behind Nowafaa in August, the earlier success will offer encouragement ahead of the rematch. Eiad Alturisi will partner Kawafill.
Almaqam Targets Another Course-and-Distance Success
Friday’s principal contest will be the SAR150,000 Almadinah Almonawarah Region Governorate Cup over 2,400 metres. White Stable will again have strong representation through Almaqam (KSA), a previous course-and-distance winner.
Almaqam will return after finishing 12th in the Asian Racing Federation Cup Local Handicap on The Saudi Cup undercard. Earlier in the year, the runner won the Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup by nearly 13 lengths, demonstrating considerable ability over the distance.
Stablemate Mana’aeh (KSA) will also line up after winning a Taif Handicap in August. The runner finished ninth in the Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup but will have another opportunity to make an impact.
Ashjaa (KSA) will add further interest as a former course-and-distance winner in the Prince Saad Bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Cup. The runner’s most recent appearance came in the International Jockeys’ Challenge in February.
Trankeelo Seeks Third Career Victory
The juvenile SAR150,000 King Khalid Military Academy Cup will feature nine runners over 1,600 metres. Trankeelo (KSA) will aim to secure a third career victory in four starts after earlier successes in the Taif Cup Prep and the JCSA Contribution.
The youngster will face a competitive field as he looks to maintain his promising record in the juvenile contest.
With Gran Descans returning after his February success, Sayyah chasing a fourth consecutive win and several established performers preparing for their respective assignments, the weekend programme at King Abdulaziz Racecourse will feature a varied selection of contests across different distances and divisions.
Gran Descans will return to action in Saturday’s Eastern Governance Region Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse after winning the Saudi International Handicap in February. Sayyah will provide strong opposition as he pursues a fourth consecutive victory, while Nowafaa, Almaqam and Trankeelo will headline other key contests across the weekend programme.
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