Ace Rothstein (More Than Ready) is one of 12 horses signed on in Friday's Listed HRH The Crown Prince's Cup, sponsored by Howden. The Michael Bell runner has won three times, including over the Sakhir turf course in a 1800-metre local Group 2, the Al Adiyat Racing Cup, on Jan. 7. With that effort, he defeated the reopposing duo of Medal Winner (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) and Macaque (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Ridden by Charlie Bishop in that effort, Bell has engaged the services of 2021 Longines World's Best Jockey Ryan Moore. Moore last rode in Bahrain in 2020, when his mount Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran third in the Bahrain International Trophy.
“Ace Rothstein won a couple of races back in England having had a late start to his 3-year-old career,” said Bell from Bahrain. “He came out to Bahrain just before Christmas and was a bit unlucky in one of the Turf Series races when he got a bit squeezed on the rail. He then won a nice trial race for the Crown Prince's Cup 10 days ago.”
Bell continued, “In theory, he'll have to step up again. He was getting 6 1/2 pounds from Medal Winner who is one of the best horses trained in Bahrain, but he beat him pretty emphatically and it was over a trip short of our best. We're stepping up to 10 furlongs this week which should suit so even though we're worse off at the weights, the extra furlong should stand him in good stead.”
Regarding the jockey switch, Bell added, “We've got a very experienced jockey and the horse is definitely training well over here. He looks great and he's eating well. With the locals, it's always the same when you go overseas. When you go to Ireland you take on Aidan O'Brien, and when you come to Bahrain you take on Shaikh Isa and Fawzi Nass.”
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