Riyadh 29 February 2020
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His two performances in the UAE this year suggest that he will struggle today.
His two performances in the UAE this year suggest that he will struggle today.
Placed in five G1's in Argentina, where he was rated 113 and was a Group 1 winner over 2000m. This is his 4th run in KSA.
Placed in five G1's in Argentina, where he was rated 113 and was a Group 1 winner over 2000m. This is his 4th run in KSA.
A Group 1 winner but his most recent form suggests that improvement is required.
A Group 1 winner but his most recent form suggests that improvement is required.
Well held in Hong Kong last time but is a player based on his Breeders' Cup form.
Well held in Hong Kong last time but is a player based on his Breeders' Cup form.
Left Great Britain rated 102 and more than confirmed that level of ability with a 14length+ win over 2000m on second start in Saudi Arabia but only eighth in prestigious local Group 1 only run since.
Left Great Britain rated 102 and more than confirmed that level of ability with a 14length+ win over 2000m on second start in Saudi Arabia but only eighth in prestigious local Group 1 only run since.
Won a minor event in Ireland when last seen in July but others make more appeal.
Won a minor event in Ireland when last seen in July but others make more appeal.
A Group 2 winner in Germany at his best but may find one or two too good in this.
A Group 2 winner in Germany at his best but may find one or two too good in this.
A consistent European performer but he may have to settle for a minor role today.
A consistent European performer but he may have to settle for a minor role today.
A top-class globetrotting mare and she merits the utmost respect once again today.
A top-class globetrotting mare and she merits the utmost respect once again today.
DEIRDRE took part in races in Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong, UK and Ireland last season and the likeable mare should take plenty of beating if at her best today. The six-year-old won the Nassau at Goodwood in August and would have gone close to winning the Irish Champion Stakes with a clearer run the following month. When last seen she was fourth in the Hong Kong Vase over 1m4f and she should be more at home over this trip. Mount Everest disappointed behind Deirdre in Hong Kong last time but a reproduction of his Breeders' Cup effort would give him an each-way shout, while Royal Youmzain is the pick of the remainder.
A leading sprinter in Bahrain but this may prove to be too competitive for him.
A leading sprinter in Bahrain but this may prove to be too competitive for him.
Minor winner in the US but he represents a stable who do well with foreign raiders.
Minor winner in the US but he represents a stable who do well with foreign raiders.
Won a 7f Group 2 in the UAE last month and he arguably sets the standard in this.
Won a 7f Group 2 in the UAE last month and he arguably sets the standard in this.
Ran well in some top European races last year and he should not be discounted.
Ran well in some top European races last year and he should not be discounted.
Won a Group 3 over 6f in France in July but a watching brief is advised today.
Won a Group 3 over 6f in France in July but a watching brief is advised today.
His last couple of performances in the US do not inspire a lot of confidence.
His last couple of performances in the US do not inspire a lot of confidence.
A neck behind Suedois at Goodwood in August and he could pick up some minor money.
A neck behind Suedois at Goodwood in August and he could pick up some minor money.
Not far behind Glorious Journey last time but will do well to reverse that form.
Not far behind Glorious Journey last time but will do well to reverse that form.
Group 2 winner over 7f but was beaten by Glorious Journey in the Hungerford.
Group 2 winner over 7f but was beaten by Glorious Journey in the Hungerford.
Third in the Foret in October but he is unlikely to get his preferred soft ground.
Third in the Foret in October but he is unlikely to get his preferred soft ground.
A consistent performer who should be in the mix but may find one or two too good.
A consistent performer who should be in the mix but may find one or two too good.
A winner twice at Group2 level over 1m on turf and dirt in Argentina but beaten twice since coming to KSA.~
A winner twice at Group2 level over 1m on turf and dirt in Argentina but beaten twice since coming to KSA.~
A speedy filly but she could be vulnerable to a stronger stayer over this trip.
A speedy filly but she could be vulnerable to a stronger stayer over this trip.
The one who stands out is GLORIOUS JOURNEY, who confirmed his well-being with a decisive victory under a 3lb penalty in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan last month. The son of Dubawi won at the same level in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last summer and he has more than enough speed to handle this slight drop in trip. Sir Dancealot has a similar profile to the selection and will be hard to keep out of the frame if ready to go after a break. Suedois rarely performs badly and he should be in the mix, even if this trip may be on the sharp side for him.
2018 Melbourne Cup winner who was not disgraced in the same event when last seen.
2018 Melbourne Cup winner who was not disgraced in the same event when last seen.
Top-class and tough stayer who should be in the mix following his UAE prep run.
Top-class and tough stayer who should be in the mix following his UAE prep run.
Hit the crossbar in a pair of Group 1s in October and he merits respect today.
Hit the crossbar in a pair of Group 1s in October and he merits respect today.
Has a good record at this trip in France but others may be better handicapped.
Has a good record at this trip in France but others may be better handicapped.
Placed in the last two Melbourne Cups and another good effort can be expected.
Placed in the last two Melbourne Cups and another good effort can be expected.
His two Australian performances late last year suggest that he is up against it.
His two Australian performances late last year suggest that he is up against it.
Behind some of these in the Melbourne Cup and he could be out of his depth today.
Behind some of these in the Melbourne Cup and he could be out of his depth today.
Prolific winner in the UK last year but faces an uphill task in this handicap.
Prolific winner in the UK last year but faces an uphill task in this handicap.
Ran well at Meydan last month but further improvement is required to win this race.
Ran well at Meydan last month but further improvement is required to win this race.
An absolutely top-class first renewal of this valuable contest and it is hard to rule out any of the runners. That said, preference is for DEE EX BEE, who chased home Stradivarius in the Gold, Goodwood and Lonsdale Cups last year. The five-year-old finished in front of Cross Counter on the first two of those occasions and he looked sure to improve significantly for his recent prep run in the UAE. This trip should help Cross Counter, as he has plenty of speed, and he is certainly not out of it. Call The Wind failed to win last year but he ran well in defeat multiple times and should not be underestimated, while Prince Of Arran could pick up some more prize money.
MUTAWAKEL AL KHALEDIAH has to be given the utmost respect having won a valuable race over 1800m here last time and that followed a placed effort in a local Group 1. Tallaab Al Khalediah will be a player if ready to go after a break, while Mehdaaf Athbah and Mashhur Al Khalediah are others who could go well in an open contest.
ALNAJIM ALBAAHER has snuck into the race at the bottom of the weights and he makes plenty of appeal having won twice since the entries for this were announced. Omsiyaatee is another whose most recent form offers plenty of encouragement, while Ala Sawab and Be Azn Allah complete the shortlist.
Narrowly beat Final Song in the UAE recently and was a dirt winner in Uruguay.
Narrowly beat Final Song in the UAE recently and was a dirt winner in Uruguay.
Second at the Breeders' Cup and won his prep for this at Santa Anita recently.
Second at the Breeders' Cup and won his prep for this at Santa Anita recently.
Won two minor events prior to his defeat in a Group 3 last time; more is required.
Won two minor events prior to his defeat in a Group 3 last time; more is required.
Ran well enough at the Breeders' Cup but once again this could be too competitive.
Ran well enough at the Breeders' Cup but once again this could be too competitive.
Fourth in the UAE 2000 Guineas earlier in the month but faces a tougher task today.
Fourth in the UAE 2000 Guineas earlier in the month but faces a tougher task today.
An impressive winner of a Nottingham maiden in November but he has plenty to prove.
An impressive winner of a Nottingham maiden in November but he has plenty to prove.
A multiple winner in the US and he certainly merits consideration this evening.
A multiple winner in the US and he certainly merits consideration this evening.
Closely matched with Final Song on their UAE form but the trip is a concern.
Closely matched with Final Song on their UAE form but the trip is a concern.
A proven dirt performer but failed to see out the trip in the UAE 1000 Guineas.
A proven dirt performer but failed to see out the trip in the UAE 1000 Guineas.
Bella Fever and Final Song are closely matched based on their meeting on the turf at Meydan last time and both can be expected to go well. Down On Da Bayou bolted up in the UAE Oaks recently and she is another who could make the frame. However, preference is for BILLY BATTS, who hit the crossbar in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November and he proved his well-being with a win at Santa Anita recently.
Successful at Santa Anita last month but this contest is much more demanding.
Successful at Santa Anita last month but this contest is much more demanding.
The likely fast early pace will suit and he could pick up some prize money today.
The likely fast early pace will suit and he could pick up some prize money today.
Has won both starts in the UAE this year but needs to improve upon his US form.
Has won both starts in the UAE this year but needs to improve upon his US form.
Multiple Grade 1 winner in the US and he has to be given the utmost respect.
Multiple Grade 1 winner in the US and he has to be given the utmost respect.
Second in the Golden Shaheen last year but may struggle against the top Americans.
Second in the Golden Shaheen last year but may struggle against the top Americans.
CAPTAIN SCOTTY has more than enough pace to get across to the early lead from stall five and the talented American sprinter will be hard to peg back if he does. Peter Miller's gelding made all to win a Grade 2 at Santa Anita last month and this race could set up perfectly for him. Imperial Hint has the best form to his name by quite a way, winning two Grade 1 contests last year, but he could be trapped wide from stall 10. Drafted and Matera Sky both have solid form claims.
Won on his dirt debut in the UAE earlier in the month but this is much tougher.
Won on his dirt debut in the UAE earlier in the month but this is much tougher.
Made a winning return in the UAE recently but he won't get an easy lead today.
Made a winning return in the UAE recently but he won't get an easy lead today.
Top Japanese dirt performer who could make his presence felt this evening.
Top Japanese dirt performer who could make his presence felt this evening.
Closely matched with Chrysoberyl based on their meeting in the Champions Cup.
Closely matched with Chrysoberyl based on their meeting in the Champions Cup.
Left Great Britain on a career-high rating of 112 following win in a Group3 at Haydock last September.Unproven beyond 1m and yet to race on dirt.
Left Great Britain on a career-high rating of 112 following win in a Group3 at Haydock last September.Unproven beyond 1m and yet to race on dirt.
Well held by Benbatl in the UAE recently but better can be expected this evening.
Well held by Benbatl in the UAE recently but better can be expected this evening.
One of the best in the US who arrives here on the back of a win in the Cigar Mile.
One of the best in the US who arrives here on the back of a win in the Cigar Mile.
A top-class performer and will take plenty of beating if handling the travelling.
A top-class performer and will take plenty of beating if handling the travelling.
Has produced the highest local ratings of any Saudi-trained runner this season and unbeaten on last five starts, including prestigious local Group1 earlier in the month by half a length from Staunch.
Has produced the highest local ratings of any Saudi-trained runner this season and unbeaten on last five starts, including prestigious local Group1 earlier in the month by half a length from Staunch.
Won the Pegasus last month but others bring slightly stronger US form to the table.
Won the Pegasus last month but others bring slightly stronger US form to the table.
One of the best in the UAE but he might not be able to match the US raiders.
One of the best in the UAE but he might not be able to match the US raiders.
Not far off the best US three-year-olds last year and he should be thereabouts.
Not far off the best US three-year-olds last year and he should be thereabouts.
A likeable and consistent mare but she faces a tough task on her dirt debut.
A likeable and consistent mare but she faces a tough task on her dirt debut.
Only defeat last year came at the Breeders' Cup and she is shortlist material.
Only defeat last year came at the Breeders' Cup and she is shortlist material.
Consistent seven-year-old has finished second to Mjjack in local Group company on last two starts,beaten by half a length in prestigious local Group1 on latest occasion.
Consistent seven-year-old has finished second to Mjjack in local Group company on last two starts,beaten by half a length in prestigious local Group1 on latest occasion.
North America and Capezzano could set a strong pace in this as both like to have the early lead, but they are vulnerable against these top-class Americans. MAXIMUM SECURITY also likes to go forward but he is more adaptable than the aforementioned pair and he could sit just off the pace. Jason Servis' colt beat Mucho Gusto in the Haskell last July, while he ended 2019 with an easy win in the Cigar Mile and a reproduction of either of those efforts should be good enough to take this. His main threat could be Mckinzie, who rarely runs poorly and this trip arguably brings about the best in him. A fast pace will also suit Tacitus and Midnight Bisou.
