Meydan 18 February 2011
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DARIYA returned from a lengthy lay-off to pick up a Group 3 when last sighted and rates the one they all have to beat at the weights. The selection steps back up in trip but has winning form over 7f previously and is expected to handle this switch in surface to land a double. Kandar Du Falgas can give the selection most to think about and has winning all-weather form having landed a Group 2 contest here in December. Doug Watson's charge was far from disgraced when third in a Group 1 race last time and rates a serious threat. Vite Royale has produced his best form to date on turf but would be in with a shout if able to reproduce that form on tapeta.
Inxile ran a cracker from a poor draw on the all-weather here last month and probably rates a little better than the bare margin of defeat suggested last time after a slow start. The drop back into handicap company boosts his chances of returning to the winner's enclosure but he holds few secrets from the assessor and a chance is taken on MUTHEEB instead. The selection improved on his opening run at this year's Carnival when making the frame earlier this month and looks capable of winning races now eased 2lb in the weights. Godolphin's Everyday Heroes showed up well on his recent comeback, hinting this extra furlong would be ideal, and looks the one for the forecast. British raiders Barney McGrew and and Jimmy Styles may find a couple too good but shouldn't be too far away at the finish.
A tricky-looking sprint to start off proceedings. Most of these have questions to answer so a chance is taken with Inxile, who could be hard to peg back if allowed an easy lead. Everyday Heroes and Mutheeb are feared most.
Age Of Reason advertised his well being when third over 1m6f here last time and although the pick of his efforts at last year's Carnival was his second to Sabotage in the 2m Gold Cup, he should continue to give a good account over shorter. Preference, however, is for Godolphin's BAY WILLOW who ran some cracking races on turf in Britain last season and showed himself to be fully effective over this trip. His recent effort on tapeta was disappointing but he should strip fitter today and better is expected back on turf. Calvados Blues ran a superb race (beaten a neck into second) when upped to this distance for the first time recently and should give it another good go from the front once again.
Absolute Heretic caught the eye on his first start in Dubai last time and looks worth chancing upped in trip. Telluride and Bay Willow head the dangers.
Ayun Tara shaped as if this step up in trip would suit when finishing third behind Rakaan last week and is holding her form together well. Atlantic Brave was a creditable second in a Listed race at Jebel Ali last time (Escape Route third) and remains open to more improvement, while Final Drive began the Carnival with two solid efforts and would have to be considered if coming through yesterday's engagement in good shape. However, the 108-rated CAYMANS, a Group 2 winner in Australia, is taken to score on the back of his third behind the classy Presvis in a turf Group 2 last month now stepped back in trip.
This looks competitive with a couple dropping in grade, including Caymans and he is taken to build on his promising effort behind Presvis last time. He travelled very strongly over further that day and the drop in trip looks ideal. This trip will also suit Here To Win having raced freely last time and he is feared while My Indy faces his easiest task for some time.
KAL BARG landed a decent pot at this meeting last year and could be ready to strike again following two runs at the track. He caught the eye finishing sixth after a tardy start last time out and should go close, despite the wide draw. Atlantis Star was bitterly disappointing on her first start for Godolphin late last month but the run was entitled to be needed. The Michael Dods-trained Tiger Reigns is open to improvement following a recent spin at the track, while Yirga, unexposed over the trip, could also enter the equation in what looks an intriguing leg of the Meydan Masters.
Mac Love has shaped with promise in better events than this on his last 2 starts and hopefully the smaller field will reduce the chance of him meeting trouble in running on this occasion. The handicapper has given him a big chance in dropping him another 3 lb and he can see off Kal Barg and Yirga.
RAKAAN won in the style of a well-treated animal in a C&D handicap last week and gets the vote with the booking of Ryan Moore suggesting connections are hopeful of another prominent showing. Godolphin's Ashram disappointed favourite-backers on the turf here recently but he was having his first run of the year and it would be no surprise to see this 7f specialist, the choice of Frankie Dettori, fare much better. Banna Boirche was prolific in his native Ireland last term and might be worth another chance if his latest effort at the Carnival can be overlooked.
A tricky puzzle to solve with question marks hanging over several of these. Banna Boirche and Reynaldothewizard were both on the upgrade coming into the Carnival and it would come as no surprise were either to put a below-par effort behind them but Rakaan looks a far more solid proposition and gets the nod. Bank Merger could be anything and is feared.
Aspectoflove had RIVER JETEZ (third), Forest Crown (fifth) and Kinky Afro (sixth) behind when scoring over 1m here last month but Mike De Kock's runner is expected to scupper Godolphin's filly on this occasion. The selection is not only 3lb better off at the weights for a three-quarter-length defeat, but she was flashing home in fine style at the finish and is certain to relish the extra furlong on offer tonight given the fact she was a top-class winner over 1m2f in South Africa. Ryan Moore gets on well with Strawberrydaiquiri from her days with Sir Michael Stoute and last year's Sun Chariot Stakes runner-up cannot be ruled out with confidence.
Most of these met in the Cape Verdi last time when Aspectoflove came out on top but she is now penalised and it seems reasonable to assume that River Jetez will gain her revenge here, particularly as she looked desperately unlucky not to have taken that race. Strawberrydaiquiri isn't sure to progress for leaving Sir Michael Stoute but her best form will see her involved.
Bronze Cannon returned to winning ways when narrowly repelling MR BROCK in a similar C&D contest late last month, the fitting of a tongue-tie clearly having a positive effect. However, the runner-up reopposes on 6lb better terms this evening and, having been far from disgraced in the World Cup at this meeting last March, Mike De Kock's charge is strongly fancied to reverse the placings. Last year's surprise Dubai Duty Free winner Al Shemali shaped well when fourth in a Group 3 here recently and should be much sharper for the outing. He is seriously respected, along with the selection's stablemate Golden Sword.
Deem and Al Shemali would head the shortlist if at their best but neither showed enough on their respective reappearances to make them of interest so Golden Sword is readily preferred. He bolted up last week and is clearly on the way back to the sort of form that saw him finish second in an Irish Derby. Mr Brock can chase his stablemate home.
