Shemali team praying for rain

Connections of Al Shemali believe the step up in trip and the likely softer ground will be in his favour at York tomorrow.

The son of Medicean will be having his third start of the campaign when he tackles Vodafone Derby favourite Authorized in the totesport.com Dante Stakes.

Al Shemali won a maiden on soft ground at Newcastle last October but he has failed to sparkle in two starts so far this term.

After being beaten as favourite in the Feilden Stakes, the Saeed Suhail-owned colt failed to trouble the principles in the 2000 Guineas.

However, Rabbah Bloodstock racing director Bruce Raymond believes his Classic run was still a reasonable effort and he is expecting a better performance in favourable conditions on the Knavesmire.

He said: “We were encouraged by his run in the 2000 Guineas – Richard Hills felt he ran very well in Classic company.

“The step up to an extended mile-and-a-quarter is in his favour – he will stay. He will also relish the soft ground.

“It is a case of the more rain, the better for him. He is proven in soft ground, having won his maiden in it at Newcastle last autumn.

“But Thursday represents a tough task with the Derby favourite in the field and several other potentially high-class rivals,” he told www.rabbah.co.uk.