Dubai: MAGICIAN, an impressive winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) last year, is my clear pick in the Sheema. He was below par at Royal Ascot after his Guineas win and given a break, before returning in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in November. Not only was he back from a layoff and stepping up to 1 ½ miles, he was also set to meet older horses. Magician beat them in style, coming with a strong finish to pass the favourite, The Fugue, to win by half a length. Magician is relatively lightly raced and thus open to further improvement. He was handed a favourable stall for the Sheema, a race he has an excellent chance of winning.
CIRRUS DES AIGLES was handed a wide post at the draw, and does not have an ideal starting point. He is still in the picture though, and if he produces something like his very best ha might overcome this and win again. He won the Sheema two years ago and ran second to St Nicholas Abbey twelve months ago. Cirrus des Aigles’s best form last year came in the autumn. He thrives on soft to heavy ground but also handles good ground. The famous gelding warmed up for this race by finishing fourth to Now We Can over 1900 metres in France last month. It was a satisfactory seasonal bow, over what is too short a distance for Cirrus des Aigles.
There is a lack of pace in this field, something that could spell trouble for many of the contenders, but not for TWILIGHT ECLIPSE. He may not have quite the same class as the best in the race, but he is quite a solid performer who likes to race prominently. He made all when winning a G3 by 7 lengths over this distance in December, and was to the fore all the way also when following up in the 11-furlong Mac Diarmida Handicap (G2) at Gulfstream in February. He did not enjoy a smooth trip when sixth, just over two lengths behind Magician at the Breeders’ Cup last year. Twilight Eclipse will be at a great advantage if allowed a soft lead, and he might spring a surprise.
GENTILDONNA’s name is obviously also one that merits respect. The dual Japan Cup (G1) heroine is good enough to win — if back to her best — but she was not at her best in last year’s Japan cup (beat DENIM AND RUBY a nose) and very disappointing first time out this year.
The author is a thoroughbred form expert and editor of www.stabell.co.uk
STABELL’S SELECTIONS
A: 4 MAGICIAN
B: 11 TWILIGHT ECLIPSE, 15 CIRRUS DES AIGLES
C: 12 GENTILDONNA
