Mahbooba wins UAE Guineas

Mike de Kock has major Carnival prizes in mind for Mahbooba after she struck gold in the UAE 1,000 Guineas at Meydan.

The 8-11 favourite had chased home reopposing stable companion Reem in a trial at the track last month but, 7lb better off at the weights, Mahbooba had no trouble turning the tables yesterday in the Etislat-sponsored contest.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, the four-year-old passed the post with three-and-three-quarter lengths in hand over Reem, with fellow South African Chocolicious back in third. "Christophe always wanted to be handy, and she has made the expected improvement," said De Kock.

"Certainly on pedigree the further she goes the better she'll be. She's a good filly and a Group 1 winner in South Africa.

"We'll go for the Oaks next and I've always maintained that she's a Derby filly who would have a chance. Raihana ran second last year and this filly is every bit as good, if not better."

De Kock and Soumillon went on to complete a quickfire double as 7-4 favourite Star Empire swooped late to claim the eLife Handicap.

David Simcock's 14-1 shot Lord Of The Stars put up a fine performance from the front in the Meydan Classic Trial. Tadhg O'Shea's mount took a couple of lengths out of the field turning for home and kept up the gallop all the way up the straight to readily beat Krypton Factor.

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson's ante-post favourite Grandouet features among 77 initial entries for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The Seven Barrows handler has saddled five previous winners of the juvenile contest, with Zaynar and Soldatino taking top honours for the past two seasons. The trainer's ten-strong entry also includes promising French recruits Celtus and Molotof, as well as useful Flat runner Moose Moran, who has yet to run over hurdles.

• Perth starts 2011 off with a bang after receiving some refreshing' news. Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer has been secured as the main sponsor and will take the title rights for the forthcoming Perth Festival (27-29 April). Crabbie's will have two races on each day of the festival including the feature race, the 20,000 Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Steeplechase.