Eric Lemartinel

March 10, 2012 Dubai ~  The dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday March 10 gave stellar advance performances for March 31 at Meydan. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and the Crown Prince of Dubai and His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum were among a host of dignitaries present to see Capponi win the Al Maktoum Challenge III, the first ever Group 1 Thoroughbred race in the UAE outside Dubai World Cup night.

The opening Group 1 USD55,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Rd III for Purebred Arabians, also over 2000m on the all-weather, was won by the Eric Lemartinel-trained Nieshan in the time of 02:17:67. Nieshan won this race last year under the hands of C Lemaire, but was beaten on the same distance by rival Seraphin Du Paon on Kahayla Classic night.

Gerald Avranche was again in the saddle this night and said: “I think this horse has probably improved this season and that is twice we have beaten last year’s [Dubai] Kahayla Classic winner Seraphin Du Paon. Hopefully we can do so again on [Dubai] World Cup night in the 2012 [Dubai] Kahayla Classic!”

Full Results: Horse, Trainer, Jockey

1 Niesham (Akbar (FR) – Jade Des Pins (FR) by Octavius (FR), Eric Lamartinel, Gerald Avranch

2 Timadit Al Mels(Tidjani (FR) – Onia Al Mels (FR) by Guytou De Carrere (FR), S Rajhi, Ted Durcan

3 Seraphin Du Paon, (Akbar (FR) – Bint El Bedia (TN) by Elias) E Oertel, Olivier Peslier

4 Dariya, M Al Hahouri, Andrea Atzeni

5 Paris Gagner, D Watson, Richard Hills

6 Fryvolous, E Oertel, Silvestre De Souosa

7 Sahib Du Clos, S Deeb, Royston Ffrench

8 Djanet Monalau, J Peromingo, Wayne Smith

9 Manan, J Permonigo, Patrick Cosgrave

10 Omayyade Thabet, A Al Shamsi, Carols Sanchez

11 Nil Blanc, S Deeb, David Bouland

12 Rami, M Al Jahouri, Jesus Rosales

13 Knife, A Manuel, Richard Mullen

14 Fyrnchman, E Oertel, James Doyle

Results_8832_Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored By Skywards_

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