Mendip Heads Burj Nahaar

Frankie Dettori and Mendip will look to notch their second straight stakes win when they go to the post in the $200,000 Burj Nahaar Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-III) Mar. 3. The eight-furlong contest is the fifth race on the Super Thursday stakes program at Meydan Racecourse.

The son of Harlan's Holiday has always been highly-regarded by his connections and even though he’s lightly-raced, the 4-year-old colt sports four wins from five career starts. After a third place finish to Musir in the 2010 UAE Derby (UAE-II), Mendip was given a lengthy vacation by trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The colt justified his trainer’s patient handling with a decisive 2 1/4 length romp in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Sponsored by Longines (UAE-III) in his seasonal debut.

Crowded House will look to make amends for his poor showing in the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Sponsored by Etisalat (UAE-III) last time out. The 5-year-old horse by Rainbow Quest will be shortening up in distance, which trainer Ben Cecil hopes will be to his benefit. Ryan Moore will ride.