Benghazi reopens international stadium in star-studded ceremony

LONDON: Newmarket-based trainer Tom Clover is setting his sights on further international success at the Saudi Cup meeting this weekend, as he prepares Al Nayyir for the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

This comes on the back of a major victory for the trainer in Qatar, where his sprinter Rogue Lightning stormed to success in the Dukhan Sprint.

Clover, who operates from the historic Kremlin House Stables, has been enjoying a career-best run, with 2024 marking his most successful year in terms of winners and prize money since he began training eight years ago.

His recent triumphs include victories at the York Ebor Festival and Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting, adding to his 2023 Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes win at Royal Ascot with Rogue Millennium.

Rogue Lightning, a 5-year-old acquired for £1 million ($1,264,600) by Blandford Bloodstock agent Richard Brown on behalf of the emir of Qatar’s Wathnan Racing, delivered a commanding performance at Al Uqda Racecourse on Sunday.

“Rogue Lightning was always a horse we held in high regard. It was really exciting for the whole team, particularly for Carrie, who has been out there with him,” Clover told Great British Racing International.

“It was important for us to get a win for Wathnan Racing, who have been great supporters, and to deliver a major victory for them on their big day. It was a huge thrill and a day we will always remember.”

Attention now turns to Al Nayyir, who will represent owner Elbashir Elhrari in Saturday’s Red Sea Turf Handicap in the Kingdom.

The 7-year-old gelding, who only joined Clover’s yard in July 2024, has already shown his class, finishing second in a Group 2 at York and securing an emphatic eight-length victory in a Listed race at Newmarket.

A strong performance in Saudi Arabia could set him up for a tilt at the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at the Dubai World Cup meeting in April.

Clover is optimistic about his chances, despite the challenge of conceding weight to his rivals.

He said: “I am very pleased with Al Nayyir’s condition. He’s traveled well and improved in his coat with a bit of sun in Saudi Arabia. It’s a big ask giving this weight away to the rest of the field, but he has drawn nicely, he is a high-class horse, and we think he will run a big race.

“He is a 7-year-old now, but he is by Dubawi, and they improve with age. He is just a wonderful horse to deal with, and we hope to see him win a big race this year.”

With momentum firmly on his side, Clover will be hoping Al Nayyir can continue his stable’s upward trajectory and add another prestigious victory to his growing list of achievements.

MILAN: Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer has a broken right thumb ahead of key games in Serie A and the Champions League.
Inter said the Swiss ‘keeper’s injury was revealed in tests on Thursday and “necessary therapy will be decided in the coming days.”
Thumb injuries can sideline goalkeepers for several weeks though no timetable was set by Inter for Sommer, who has started every Serie A and Champions League game this season.
The defending Serie A champion are second in the standings, trailing Napoli by two points, and travel to Naples at the end of next week. Inter first host Genoa on Saturday.
Sommer also could miss the Champions League round-of-16 games on March 4 or 5 then March 10 or 11. Inter will be drawn against Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven when the pairings are made on Friday.
Sommer’s backups are Raffaele Di Gennaro and Josep Martinez.