Mutakayyef set to begin campaign in Winter Derby

Mutakayyef is likely to head for Dubai after his run at Lingfield. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Mutakayyef is set to turn to action in the Betway Winter Derby at Lingfield on Saturday.

The William Haggas-trained six-year-old was a fine third behind Postponed and Highland Reel in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last summer and is expected to be a leading player in races over 1m, as well as 1m2f, in the QIPCO British Champions Series this summer.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned six-year-old had a recent workout at Chelmsford and is using the Group 3 Lingfield contest, over a mile and a quarter, as a prep for the Dubai Turf at Meydan next month on World Cup night.

Haggas told the Racing Post: “Mutakayyef is in good form and after discussion with Sheikh Hamdan the decision has been taken to run him at Lingfield, and Jim Crowley will ride.”

Mutakayyef signed off last year by finishing third to Tepin, the Queen Anne winner, in a Group 1 contest at Woodbine in Canada.