African Story & Prince Bishop Return For Another Challenge

Time/Date - 19.30hrs local time/Saturday, March 7, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Dirt/1m 2f

African Story and Prince Bishop face each other again in the Group One Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three over a mile and a quarter on dirt at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, March 7.

The two Saeed bin Suroor-trained eight-year-olds ran at the same course in the Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two Empowered by IPIC over nine and a half furlongs on February 5, when Prince Bishop ran on strongly to go down by a head to Frankyfourfingers while African Story finished seventh.

Both horses excelled on the Tapeta of Meydan prior to its replacement this year, with African Story storming to a stunning success in the 10-furlong Group One Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline last year, with Prince Bishop ninth after missing the break. African Story also captured the Group Two Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Etisalat at Meydan in 2012 and twice won the Group Three Burj Nahaar Sponsored By Emirates Holidays over the same distance in 2012 & 2013.

Prince Bishop was successful in Round Two (with African Story second) and Round Three of the Al Maktoum Challenge last year, and has won four Group races in Europe including the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris over a mile and a half at Longchamp, France, in 2010. James Doyle partners African Story, with William Buick on Prince Bishop.

Saeed bin Suroor reported: "I was disappointed with African Story in Round Two of the Maktoum Challenge, when he didn't like the kickback early on in the race.

"I am hoping for a clear run this time and, if he can take up a nice position, I think that he can run a huge race. He has been working well and I have been happy with his preparation.

"Prince Bishop finished strongly to take second in Round Two and came out of the race in good order. He always runs very well out in Dubai and has been pleasing me with his work recently."

African Story and Prince Bishop meet seven opponents including Frankyfourfingers, and Grade One Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes third Long River plus recent Meydan winners Henry Clay and Storm Belt.

Godolphin has been successful in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three 13 times, thanks to Cezanne (1994), Dover Straits (1995), Tamayaz (1996), Kammtarra (1997), Spindrift (1999), Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002), Grandera (2003), Electrocutionist (2006), Jalil (2008), Capponi (2012), Hunter's Light (2013) and Prince Bishop (2014).