Flute ready to Sprint

The Francis Graffard-trained four-year-old lines up for Qatar Racing in the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint (5.05 UK time), a race that is being shown live on Sky. Three weeks ago Pearl Flute was third in the Gr.2 Al Fahidi Fort, but that race was over seven furlongs, and he has not tried today's six-furlongs trip since August 2012.

Harry Bentley, who takes over from Jamie Spencer in the saddle, also dons Pearl Bloodstock's colours to ride the Ger Lyons-trained Chapter Seven in the Ford F-150 Raptor Trophy (2.45), a handicap in which 16 are expected to go to post.

Also on today's Meydan card is the Gr.3 UAE 2,000 Guineas in which My Catch, a former member of the Qatar Racing team, makes his second start for trainer Doug Watson. My Catch was also third recently, in a trial for today's race, following his sale at Arqana in October for €120,000.