'We feel we have two leading contenders' - can anyone stop Charlie Appleby from landing his seventh Zabeel Mile?

Charlie Appleby is in a strong position to land the Group 2 Zabeel Mile (3.55) at Meydan for a seventh time in the last 11 years with Ottoman Fleet and Noble Dynasty lining up for the trainer. 

Godolphin’s principal trainer has been the dominant force in this contest with the likes of Master Of The Seas, D’Bai and Zakouski taking the prize, although last year he was not represented as San Donato scored for trainer Doug Watson and owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum.

However, Appleby is back in force this time around with Ottoman Fleet and Noble Dynasty both holding strong chances in the highlight on an eight-race card in Dubai.

Ottoman Fleet is the choice of William Buick and is returning to the track for the first time since finishing third in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga in August. Before that effort, Ottoman Fleet had been successful in Grade 2 and 3 races at Churchill Downs having spent most of 2024 as part of Appleby’s US satellite operation.

Noble Dynasty, who will be ridden by James Doyle, spent last summer in Britain with his biggest success coming in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes. Last year’s contest was the final edition run at Newmarket, with the fixture subsequently sold to York by the Jockey Club for 2025.

Appleby said: “Both Ottoman Fleet and Noble Dynasty head into the Zabeel Mile in good order. If you look at the pick of Ottoman Fleet’s form in the United States he looks the one to beat. He put up a very solid performance over this distance in the Fourstardave and we've been happy with his preparation.

“Noble Dynasty had the one run around Meydan last year, over seven furlongs, and produced a couple of strong efforts back in the UK. His work has gone well and his form is pretty consistent. We feel we have two leading contenders.”

Among the opposition to the Appleby-trained pair are San Donato, who is now trained by Michael Costa for owner Sheikh Ahmed, while there is also British representation in the form of Holloway Boy, Cairo, Royal Dubai and Poker Face.

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