Charlie Fellowes is plotting a return to Saudi Arabia with his “dream horse” Prince Of Arran.
The eight-year-old – placed in the last three Melbourne Cups – finished third behind Call The Wind in the Long Distance Turf Handicap at the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting last year.
Fellowes, based in Newmarket, believes his stable star is as good as ever as he prepares him for the $2.5million contest, run over 3000m on February 20.
His view is backed up by the evidence. Prince Of Arran stormed home when a close third in the Melbourne Cup in November having finished runner-up the previous year. He was also third in 2018.
Fellowes said: “In the Melbourne Cup Jamie Kah had him in the perfect spot but we just got stuck behind a wall of horses. By the time he got out, up and running it was going to take a miracle to get there but he very nearly did it. It was another remarkable run.
“He’s a once in a lifetime horse. We just try to enjoy every race with him. He’s taken me to places I could’ve only dreamt of having runners. He’s been incredible. He’s literally the dream horse.”
In finishing third in last year’s Long Distance Turf Handicap, Prince Of Arran collected $250,000 and Fellowes believes he is ready to run another big race.
He said: “He ran a great race last year. They went hard and he was probably closer to the pace than he needed to be. The first and second came from further behind him. My fella put in his usual solid performance so we’re looking forward to going back again.
“The prize money is fantastic, and it looks like they will have a very good field. Last year’s first and second are entered in the race again and there are some decent stayers so it’s going to be a strong race.
“You could argue that my horse is as good as he’s ever been, even though he’s getting on a little bit, so we’ll go out there with another huge shout.”
Fellowes could give globetrotting Prince Of Arran, who has raced in America, Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as Saudi Arabia, Australia and Britain, a prep run before his likely return to Saudi Arabia.
He added: “A run before Saudi might help us. He loves Kempton, two miles round there is perfect and it’s a Conditions race so he wouldn’t carry a stack load of weight. He could run there first and the two-week gap up to the Long Distance Turf Handicap is what he would do in Australia so we know it works.”