Meydan 02 March 2024
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Rb Rich Lyke Me is bound to be popular on the back of two impressive course victories in December. However, he is drawn very wide and this earlier start time will most likely benefit those on the pace and close to the rail. Under similar circumstances, Fawzi Nass' eight-year-old disappointed in the Kahayla Classic last season and so a chance can be taken on AF ALWAJEL. Tadhg O'Shea is likely to be aggressive early on from stall one on this nine-year-old, who has not had much racing in recent years. He showed a good level of form at this venue back in 2021, where he was placed in this race and the Kahayla Classic, and he could take some catching if able to dominate. Faaris should relish the return to dirt and is likely to get an ideal trip from a low draw, while Rb Frynchh Dude is another to note.
It is very hard to oppose CINDERELLA'S DREAM, who maintained her unbeaten record when an impressive winner of the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic over 7f here a month ago. The daughter of Shamardal should relish this extra furlong and she could prove to be a class above these rivals. Geologist appears to be the most likely to follow the selection home following two encouraging efforts at this venue in recent months, although the unexposed Nadelia should not be underestimated.
CINDERELLA'S DREAM formwise is a cut above these and looks to have a straightforward task to extend her unbeaten streak. Nadelia is unexposed and could emerge as the chief threat, while Lightning Paradise edges it for third.
This race looks to have an ideal setup for SOUND MONEY, who should relish this return to a mile. Doug Watson's six-year-old is proven over this far in the US, but managed to win the Mahab Al Shimaal over 6f on this card 12 months ago. He subsequently struggled in the Golden Shaheen and looked in need of further when fourth in the Dubawi Stakes on his seasonal debut in January. The son of Flatter clearly has the pace to take advantage of stall three here and there is every chance that he could make all. Swing Vote has been progressive at Jebel Ali this season but this is a very different test. Everfast could surprise a few in the race for the minor money.
SOUND MONEY is the tentative selection in a fascinating contest where a strong case can be made for several. Hypothetical is most likely the biggest danger, while Laurel River and Swing Vote can also fight it out for the places.
Star Of Mystery is likely to be very hard to beat having accounted for most of her rivals here in the Blue Point over C&D. That said, a chance can be taken on TAJALLA, who was third that day and is 3lb better off with the winner. The four-year-old was making his stable debut on that occasion and lacked a recent run, so could get closer to Charlie Appleby's filly. Ponntos, who is likely to give the selection an ideal lead from the next stall, should not be discounted.
It's hard not to be taken by the manner of STAR OF MYSTERY's last two wins here and she gets the nod in receipt of all the allowances. Ponntos is a reliable sort and looks the most likely challenger, while Equality looks third best.
CASTLE WAY accounted for the recent Saudi winner Tower Of London when taking the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last July, and he was far from disgraced when second to the subsequent St Leger winner when last seen in the Great Voltigeur. The son of Almanzor has been gelded since that outing and it has to be noted that William Buick has chosen him over Bold Act and Warren Point. The latter may prove to be the main danger having just got up to win the Dubai Millennium over 1m2f here recently. The shortlist is completed by Simca Mille and Sisfahan.
SISFAHAN has the form edge and appeals as the one the others have to beat in a trappy contest. The Godolphin pair Castle Way and Bold Act can fight out the places, with marginal preference for the mount of Buick to chase home the selection.
CLAPTON appears to be the safest pick in an open contest following a promising third on his UAE debut in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge over C&D. The five-year-old is entitled to improve for that outing and stall three should help him to gain a good trip. Franz Strauss finished a place in front of the selection on that occasion, but was only a neck in front and is not certain to confirm the form. Walk Of Stars remains unexposed on dirt and appears to be the most likely leader from stall two, while Desert Wisdom is another with strong form claims.
NEVERSHOW WEAKNESS is on an upward curve and is the selection in a fairly open race. Clapton looks sure to be involved as well, while Remorse enters calculations for third place.
VAFORTINO won a Listed race over C&D on his UAE debut in December and confirmed that to be no fluke when filling second place in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort last time. A reproduction of either of those efforts may well be good enough to see him home in front here. That said, Noble Dynasty has to be of interest given his connections, although this is a step up in grade on his return from 469 days off. Marbaan should appreciate the return to 7f and must not be discounted, while Ehraz and Yonafis are others to consider.
VAFORTINO looks marginally the pick of these but has next to no margin for error. Noble Dynasty is an interesting runner and looks the main threat to the selection, while Marbaan could well have a say for minor money.
FREEDOM FIGHTER took a step forward from his seasonal return when filling second place in the Al Shindagha over C&D in January. Bhupat Seemar's six-year-old may have more to offer here and stall four looks to be a decent draw. Rawy was third in the same contest and could give the selection plenty to think about if trying to make all from one box closer to the rail. Ma Yetal is the joker in the pack as a three-year-old with two wins to his name, but this is much tougher than both of those contests, while Leading Spirit is capable of making the frame.
With two of the fancied horses now scratched, this looks a wide open renewal. Perhaps it may pay to side with South American pattern winner GO CHROME GO despite the drop in trip. Leading Spirit shouldn't be too far away either, while Rawy also demands scrutiny.
LEGEND OF TIME readily accounted for Athan when taking the Jumeirah Guineas over a mile here a month ago and the son of Sea The Stars is very hard to oppose with the step up in trip a positive. The aforementioned Athan is likely to be in the mix once again but it is hard to see him reversing form with the selection. Quartier disappointed on the dirt in the Al Bastikiya eight days ago but could make the frame if transferring his best form to the turf.
LEGEND OF TIME was much improved in his most recent run and has leading claims of adding to his impressive strike-rate. Athan can get the better of the remainder for second, while Quartier is perhaps the most interesting of those left.
