Mishriff Puts in Final Work Before Departure

Three-time group 1 winner Mishriff  breezed over a mile the morning of Feb. 17 on the gallops at Chelmsford as part of his preparation to repeat last year's success in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 26. 

The exercise mirrored a pre-departure workout of a year ago by the 5-year-old for the Saudi Cup and joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden were keen to stick to the same script by working him left-handed on an artificial surface.

The son of Make Believe  was slated as the 11-4 favorite by Ladbrokes and Coral for a second Saudi Cup victory.

Mishriff, who was ridden by his usual partner Ben De Paiva in the workout, was accompanied by Harrovian,  who is being aimed at the $1.5 million Neom Turf Cup Presented by Jahez (G3) on the same card.

Thady Gosden said: "The pair did a nice breeze despite a strong headwind down the straight and Mishriff finished half a length up as he usually does. They covered a mile around the bend and it's something we did last year. Chelmsford is very handy for us and they are always very accommodating so it was a worthwhile exercise."

He added: "The horses are due to fly out to Saudi on Sunday so it was nice to send them around a bend close to a race rather than going up the Al Bahathri at home, which is almost straight and the change of scene was also a positive."