Bahrain International Trophy: runner-by-runner guide and tip

The fourth running of the £600,000 Bahrain International Trophy takes place at Sakhir (1.05pm) on Friday and you will be able to watch what happens on Racing TV.

Lord Glitters was a thrilling winner when coming from last to first 12 months ago and there is again a strong British challenge.

Here’s a guide to the ten runners and a predicted 1-2-3.

Exciting French recruit for Fawzi Nass. Local trainer won 2020 renewal with Simsir. Dilawar has smart form in France, including a Group 3 victory over this distance last Autumn. He finished fourth behind Dreamloper in Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan in May. Frankie Dettori picks up the ride.

Eighth in this race last year after being caught up in a frenetic early gallop before fading late. Bolted up in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in June under Daniel Tudhope and the pair are reunited here. One of two in the race for Saeed bin Suroor.

Fascinating contender from Scandinavia for Niels Petersen. The seven-year-old globe-trotter arrives in Bahrain in the form of his life, having won his past four races, including the Group Three Marit Sveaas Minnelop in Norway. First attempt at ten furlongs for over three years, so stamina questions to answer. Regular jockey Oliver Wilson will ride.

Non-runner

Leading French contender Magny Cours was beaten less than a length by Lord Glitters in a thrilling renewal of last year’s race. The highly consistent globetrotter, trained by Andre Fabre, was very impressive on his comeback run at Chantilly on the all-weather last month. He will be ridden once again by Mickael Barzalona. The horse they all have to beat, for all this will be his first run on turf for 12 months.

Experienced French campaigner who has ten wins to his name. He has looked better than ever this season in winning at Group Three level for the first time, beating Riocorvo in the process. Stepped up again last time when posting a career-best to finish runner-up to the top class Addeybb in Group Two company. Son of Motivator is trained by Andreas Schultz and will be partnered by Gerald Mosse.

Saeed bin Suroor’s second runner in the field. This son of Cape Cross flourished last year; winning the Glorious Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, before finishing third behind Torquator Tasso in the Group One Grosser Preis von Baden. After winning the Listed Gala Stakes on his first British start this year, he has struggled to match that form in three subsequent runs. A powerful galloper, he will likely be ridden prominently from stall four by Derby winning jockey Richard Kingscote.

The second of two locally trained horses, Pensiero D’Amore will make his first start in Bahrain for trainer Mohammed Hasan and jockey Alberto Sanna. Successful twice this year in the UK for Marco Botti, including over 7f at Newmarket on his latest outing. Stamina doubts and plenty to find on all-known form.

German-bred, French-based and Spanish-trained. Riocorvo fits the bill for the International Trophy! He secured his first Group Three success when coming home strongly to win the Grand Prix de Vichy this year. The six-year-old finished a narrow second behind Monty last time out and he renews rivalry with that runner again. Trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias and ridden by the experienced French jockey Olivier Peslier.

Royal Fleet has finished out of the front three only once in 11 career starts. The son of Dubawi stayed on strongly to win the Listed Bahrain Turf Club Foundation Stakes over this trip at Goodwood in September. William Buick will have to overcome the widest draw of all to give Charlie Appleby yet another big international race success.

Non-runner

A Group Two-winning mare who coped well with the step up to 1m 4f in the QIPCO British Champion Fillies and Mares to post a career best in third behind Emily Upjohn. Application of a hood is credited by her trainer to allow her to settle better. Set to make her final racecourse start before being sold at Tattersalls next month. Oisin Orr will take the ride for Willie McCreery.

1 Magny Cours 2 Dubai Future 3 Insinuendo.