Weekender among John Gosden's contenders for the inaugural Saudi Cup

John Gosden hopes to have at least two runners at the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting in Riyadh on February 29, including the Juddmonte-owned Weekender in the 1m7½f Longines Turf Handicap.

The contest is the second most valuable on the eight-race card at $2.5 million, and in which Weekender will be carrying the colours of his owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah.

The son of Frankel, who is one of five British entries in the race, stepped up his preparation when working over a mile with Lincoln entry Star Of Bengal on Saturday morning.

Turgenev, who will carry the famous blue silks of Godolphin for the second time, runs in the 1m2½f Neom Turf Cup. The son of Dubawi is no stranger to the Middle East having finished second in Bahrain's International Trophy in November.

From left to right: Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid Bin Sultan Al Saud, William Buick, Danny Tudhope, Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, Frankie Dettori, James Doyle and Charlie ApplebyCredit: Martin Dokoupil

The four-year-old is the sole British entry in the $1m contest, although Japanese entry Deirdre is currently based in Newmarket.

Gosden said: "Rab Havlin rode Weekender in some work on the turf for the first time this year and was pleased with him. He's on course to run in Saudi Arabia, as is Turgenev, and there may be a couple more if they reopen one of the other handicaps.

"Frankie Dettori has ridden on the turf track they have put down out there and gave it the thumbs up, so hopefully both horses can run nice races."

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