Tadhg O’Shea to try to close ground on UAE jockey championship rival Richard Mullen

Tadhg O’Shea will be looking to close on the leader Richard Mullen in the UAE jockey’s championship race with five rides booked in Saturday night’s third meeting in Al Ain.

O’Shea, who is three behind Mullen, rides Bedayer Al Asayl for the UAE champion trainer Ernst Oertel in the opener and Helal Al Alawi’s Shojaa’ Algharbia in the featured conditions race over 1,000 metres, his two best chances from the five rides.

Bedayer Al Asayl won his first two races and went down by a short head to Laahaq in his last start in Sharjah two weeks ago.

“We were unlucky,” said O’Shea of the chestnut mare by Djel Bon. “I was forced to make the running with nobody else wanting to go on and she just faltered a bit close to home.

“The winner literally only headed us on the line and this slightly shorter trip should suit us more than him.”

Shojaa Alghabra was a winner on debut under O’Shea also at Jebel Ali two weeks ago.

“That was a very pleasing start to the horse’s career,” said the Irishman. “He showed plenty of speed that day so should cope with the drop in trip and he should have more to come.”

Mullen and Jaci Wickham have had plenty of success as a partnership over the years and they combine with A’Nnabak W’Rsan. His sole victory was achieved in a 1200m Jebel Ali maiden in December 2010 but this looks a weaker race than many he has contested recently.

“He has had two runs already this season so fitness should not be an issue,” said Mullen.

Mullen rides Athman for his main employer, Satish Seemar, and he looks sure to go close with the yard in such good form.

The four-year-old gelded son of Haatef was beaten by a neck by Saalib on his reappearance in a 1200m Sharjah maiden and the extra 200m in Al Ain suits.

“That was a good effort on his first start of the season,” said Mullen. “He should have improved with the outing under his belt.”

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