Ahtoug Goes For Sprint Glory

Time/Date - 17.45hrs local time/Saturday, March 7, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Turf/5f

Ahtoug lines up for the second time in the Group Three Meydan Sprint Sponsored By Arabian Adventures on turf at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, March 7.

The Charlie Appleby-trained seven-year-old went down by a head to Shea Shea in the five-furlong contest 12 months before going on to take another close second over the same course and distance in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint Empowered By IPIC on World Cup Night.

Ahtoug has made two appearances in handicaps over the same course and distance so far this year, coming home sixth on January 8 and running on well to score by a head on January 29.

Charlie Appleby said: "I was delighted with Ahtoug's last run and he came out of the race in great nick.

"He has come forward again in his well-being since then - he is 100 per cent in his coat and in his fitness now.

"We are applying cheekpieces because he is getting older and possibly a bit wiser in his races. Hopefully, they will help him travel that bit better and avoid the flat spot he sometimes shows a furlong and a half out.

"There's no Shea Shea this year but we are coming up against Sole Power and a few of the other runners need to be respected as well.

"It looks a very competitive renewal but we hope that Ahtoug can be involved in the finish again."

Ahtoug, with William Buick in the saddle, tackles 15 rivals including four-time Group One winner Sole Power and multiple South African Grade One scorer Via Africa, plus course and distance victor Caspian Prince.