Meydan 12 January 2024
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This is not a strong race but it does provide MCMANAMAN with an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways. Doug Watson's gelding displayed plenty of promise when third on his seasonal return at Jebel Ali last month and he made the frame in the much stronger Listed Dubai Sprint over 6f on turf here last season. Al Shibli (first) and Vespasian (second) were only separated by a neck at Jebel Ali last Saturday and it would be no surprise to see them both go well once again. Others to note are Many A Star, Noor Bano and Secret Moment.
VESPASIAN is turned out again quickly and looks marginally the best of these but will need everything to fall right. Noor Bano is high up there among the rest, while Many A Star heads up those chasing third place.
Military Artist clearly sets the standard having filled third place in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 7f here a week ago. That said, the quick turnaround and stall 12 could leave him vulnerable and a chance is taken on WAFAYTT. Michael Costa's newcomer displayed plenty of promise when second in a trial over 5f here last month and he wouldn't have to be a superstar to make an impact in this company. Tactical Bound, a stablemate of Military Artist, stayed on late for third over C&D when last seen and could get involved again if showing more early pace, while Guns And Glory was an expensive purchase and is another debutant to consider.
MILITARY ARTIST looks just about the pick of these and is taken to overcome a penalty. Muntasir can step up on debut and chase the selection home, while My Honor makes his debut for interesting connections and would be dangerous to underestimate.
All of these have questions to answer right now but marginal preference is for THE CARIBBEAN, who was not disgraced on his UAE debut in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial over C&D last week. Heather Main's colt struggled to make an impact that day having been dropped in from a wide draw in a race that was dominated by those who raced closer to the pace. From stall six, the three-year-old should be more prominent early on here and the pick of his juvenile form would give him a big chance off a mark of 86. Molaqab disappointed on his debut for Michael Costa at Jebel Ali, but he should not be underestimated now returned to turf. Beautiful Secret has to be of some interest on her return from a 447-day break, while Tiger Crusade and Triple Venture merit each-way consideration.
MOLAQAB is the tentative selection to quickly get back on track after failing to threaten over a shorter trip on the dirt last time. The Godolphin pair First View and Beautiful Secret are entitled to be on the premises, with Tiger Crusade another to consider in a competitive handicap.
Morning and Bay Of Honour will both benefit from the return to handicap company and they give Bhupat Seemar a very strong hand in this contest. However, a chance can be taken on ECHO POINT, who displayed a lot of promise when fourth on his stable/dirt debut over a mile here in November. There have been excuses for his two subsequent defeats and this C&D may prove to be ideal for him. Tafreej is not certain to handle this surface but is capable of going well if doing so, while Magic Petition is another to note.
A tricky handicap where it may be best to focus on the lightly-raced pair KAL BARG and Morning, with preference for the former on the back of a thumping reappearance success. Thegreatcollection has the form in the book and gets the nod for third.
Star Of Mystery and Starlust both have very strong form claims and it would be no surprise to see them dominate here. However, there appears to be more early pace drawn low and that could just give the edge to SEVEN QUESTIONS. George Scott's gelding was only a head behind Starlust off level weights when second in the Sirenia Stakes over 6f at Kempton in September and meets that rival on 2lb better terms here. The son of Kodiac then made the frame twice in Group 2 company and a reproduction of any of those efforts would give him a big chance here. Great Truth remains unexposed and is another to consider.
STARLUST holds the aces on his Breeders' Cup effort and a repeat of that would make him very hard to beat. Great Truth doesn't necessarily appeal as though a drop in trip will suit on pedigree but connections wouldn't put him in this spot for no reason and he can chase the selection home, ahead of Zorken.
CELTIC PRINCE caught the eye when staying on well to fill third place in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Mile here last month and that was no fluke as he was fourth in the Burj Nahaar last season. The step up in trip and drop back into handicap company both look to be positives for the veteran and he should not be underestimated in this field. Big Team is bound to be popular given his connections and is likely to be in the mix based on his second over 1m3f here last time. Naxos is not bred for dirt but his early pace could get him out of the kickback and that would make a big difference to his chance. Kabirkhan and Hero Mo have to be noted on their first starts for Doug Watson having shown ability in Russia.
BIG TEAM is in a better type of race than last time but that effort is just about the pick on recent form in this line up. Kafoo can come out best of the remainder, while Hero Mo shouldn't be underestimated on first UAE start.
Charlie Appleby looks sets to dominate this contest and IMPERIAL EMPEROR could prove to be the pick of his trio. William Buick rides Highbank but he probably wouldn't be able to make the weight for the selection, who looked to have a very bright future when winning his first two starts at Newmarket. His two subsequent defeats were slightly disappointing but they came in very strong contests and he is more than capable of making the frame in a race of this nature off a mark of 95. The aforementioned Highbank remains the one to beat after winning his most recent start at Newmarket in July, but this will demand more off a 7lb higher mark. Majestic Pride has to prove that he stays this far but he should see out the distance, while Ursa Minor and Track Of Time complete the shortlist.
MILITARY MARCH hasn't stood much racing but just about appeals as best at the weights. Highbank has Buick in the saddle and can get the better of the others for second, while Koy Koy is another with place prospects.
Nyaar has to be of interest after hitting the crossbar over 6f here last week, but the seven-day turnaround and the fact that he remains a maiden just gives the edge to AL MAROOM. The six-year-old is far-from prolific herself but she often runs well here and was last seen finishing second off this mark over a mile at this venue last month. In a race that lacks strength in depth, Bhupat Seemar's mare looks highly likely to be in the mix. Alla Mahlak tends to save his best form for Jebel Ali, so the unexposed Barq Al Emarat and Border Edge are the pick of the remainder.
RESTRICT has a dirt pedigree and can make a winning return after a break. Nyaar should be right in the mix once again, while Alla Mahlak is one to bear in mind too.
WEBINAR accounted for some of these in a similar event over 1m4f at Abu Dhabi last March and that could prove to be the key piece of form. An encouraging second on his seasonal return over an inadequate 1m in November, the five-year-old's most recent run on dirt can be forgiven and those efforts should have put him spot on for this much more suitable test. Ahesta Bero (second) and Al Maysan (third) chased home the selection in that contest at Abu Dhabi, but the latter could prove to be the main threat on this occasion off much better terms. Watch My Six remains unexposed after getting off the mark over 1m3f on dirt last month and his pedigree suggests that he may be even better now back on turf. The shortlist is completed by Sea Stone and Great Deed.
SEA STONE couldn't satisfy backers last time, but still makes most appeal again. Al Qaqaa may well be the one to chase the selection home, while Watch My Six is the candidate to see out the three.
