Corofin jockey Rossa Ryan and his horse Pride of Arras run in the Bahrain International Trophy at 4.40 pm today. There are 8 runners in the 1 million dollar race, with the Ralph Beckett-trained Pride of Arras priced at around 4/1. Since the race was upgraded to Group Two status two years ago, the 1 mile 2 furlong (2000m) contest, which takes place on the outer turf course at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, has been won by Spirit Dancer, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and trained by Richard Fahey. There will be a new name on the roll of honour today as there are eight declared runners in his absence. There are five British-trained runners, plus one from France, one from Ireland and the locally-trained Calif.
Trainer Ralph Beckett was bullish about the chances of Pride Of Arras, who will be ridden by Rossa Ryan: “I think the galloping nature of the track here will suit him really well and the long, flat straight should suit him perfectly. He’s a horse whose work has always been very good, obviously, things did not go so well at Epsom and the Curragh, but gelding him, the cruellest cut, has made a difference, and hopefully he will back up his last York effort. He shows a lot of speed, so I would not be concerned about the drop back in trip (to 2000m).”
