Free Wheeling Back For Al Maktoum Challenge

Time/Date - 20.45hrs local time/Thursday, January 7, 2016
Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Dirt/1m

Free Wheeling heads a select Godolphin contingent for the first fixture of the 2016 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, January 7.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained seven-year-old returns in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Presented by Longines Dolce Vita Collection over a mile on dirt, having finished an excellent third in the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Meydan Sobha over the same course and distance on Dubai World Cup night last year.

Free Wheeling, ridden again by James Doyle, has also produced a string of good handicap runs at the last three Dubai World Cup Carnivals, including a comfortable success over seven furlongs on Tapeta in 2014, and won the six-furlong G2 Champagne Stakes on turf as a two-year-old in Australia.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Free Wheeling ran a really good race to finish third in the Godolphin Mile and I have been very pleased with his preparation for this year's Carnival.

"He looks much better physically compared to last season. It will be his first appearance for a while, but he has been working well and I am hopeful of another good run."

Elsewhere on the valuable opening day card, the 2013 Cambridgeshire Handicap runner-up Code Of Honor (Saeed bin Suroor/William Buick) makes his first start for nearly 15 months in the Longines Master Collection Handicap (21.20hrs) over a mile and a quarter on turf.

Artigiano (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), who was placed on both his appearances during the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival, runs in the extended nine-furlong Longines Classic Ladies Handicap (21.55hrs) on dirt, which also features the Saeed bin Suroor-trained pair of Emirates Flyer (James Doyle) and Alabaster (Dane O'Neill).