Head confident ahead of Shaheen

Freddie Head is confidant Marchand D’Or can mount a serious challenge on the dirt of Nad Al Sheba in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on Saturday.

The six-year-old boasts an impressive record of 10 wins from 21 starts on turf with but was well beaten two years ago in his only previous start on dirt.

Last time out the five-time Group One winner finished sixth in December’s Hong Kong Sprint, but did not enjoy the best of runs as he struggled at the end of a long season.

But after a three month break, Marchand D’Or heads into Saturday’s six furlong sprint looking to end America’s domination of the event which is this year led by the filly Indian Blessing.

“The horse is very well. I think the dirt track will not bother him because in France we work on sand all the time and the horse seems well so it is good to come here and compete with the best,” said Head.

“He is a horse who I have had a lot of problems with, he has had feet problems and quarter cracks, and a couple of years ago he wasn’t as well as he is now, but he is over those problems.”

Head will hope Marchand D’Or can produce a similar display to the July Cup victory at Newmarket where the confirmed hold-up horse was last with a furlong and a half to go but produced a rare change of pace to snatch an unlikely victory from US Ranger after being switched towards the stand side rail.

Following his win in England, Marchand D’Or went onto win a third Prix Maurice de Gheest in August before winning the Prix de l’Abbeye.

“He likes to be on his own, he doesn’t like to be in the middle of horses and pushed and being squeezed so the jockey will manage that,” added Head.

“He is a super horse. He didn’t do well in Hong Kong and was beaten there and he didn’t do well when we brought him here, but I want to see him against the Americans, against the best and I am sure he can prove he is a real champion.”