MEYDAN – THURSDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2018
Mazrat Al Ruwayah Sponsored By Jaguar XF Group 2 – 1m Dirt
Purebred Arabian race gets the meeting started. Only a field of eight go to post. PADDYS DAY was an unlucky second last time out on the course over an inadequate trip. A course and distance Group 1 winner prior to that ensures that he will be the one to beat. Main danger will come from Mawahib who has an excellent win to run record, conditions will suit. AF Al Sajanjle and Cheik Roque expected to fight out the minor honours.
Jaguar F Type Handicap – 1m4f Turf
Last time out BEST SOLUTION was beaten by Golden Wood by a length on this track. Both horses were making their UAE debut. Although Golden Wood has not had a significant rise in the weights for the win, Best Solution looks like he will be open to more improvement and be able to reverse that form.
Only a small field of six runners with Pinzolo and Across The Stars looking like the pair to fight out for third place.
Land Rover Discovery Handicap – 1m2f Dirt
Another small field with one of the two Godolphin runners looking like they will take the prize. DON’T GIVE UP beat Alabaster last time out over course and distance. Although wearing the second colours for this race, Don’t Give Up was making his UAE debut and looks likely will make further improvement. Saltarin Dubai separated the Godolphin pair and looks the main danger to spoil the party for the Boys In Blue.
Range Rover Velar Handicap – 6f Turf
A competitive sprint handicap with twelve horses going to post. The UK trained Tis Marvellous has had just one run to date in the UAE but should improve for that and has taken a Group 2 prize in France. Jordan Sport has continued to improve in each of his UAE runs to date accumulating in a course and distance win last time out. Kananee should not be dismissed despite a poor debut in the UAE. Will be fitter for that run having been off the track for more than a year prior to that. HIGH ON LIFE appears to be well weighted having won first time up this season and thought be good enough to contest a Group 1 on World Cup Night. The one to beat. Danzeno did improve last time out on only his second run in the UAE and has contested some top Group races in the UK. Old favourite Sir Maximilian continues to run good races. However again may only be fighting out the minor honours.
UAE 2000 Guineas Sponsored By AlTayer Motors Group 3 – 1m Dirt
Sixteen go to post in one of the feature race on the card. GOLD TOWN did little wrong on his UAE debut wining by over four lengths. His UK form was very good with the only concern being he tries 1m for the first time. El Chapo may be the main danger to the selection having also won on his UAE debut. Also has some form over 1m. Daffg has run well on all his three runs to date including a good run over course and distance. Place claims at best. The selection is one of three Godolphin runners and better is expected of the other two Last Voyage and Racing Country.
Range Rover Sport Handicap – 2m Turf
Zamaam is a course and distance winner but has been really disappointing this season. LOS BARBADOS has run well this season and won last time out. A previous second over course and distance behind Zamaam means he should easily reverse that form. Natural Scenery was behind the selection last time out on her UAE debut. Despite the mare having some good form in the UK last year unlikely to be able to reverse the form. Red Galileo has the ability not to be far away after his useful UAE debut.
Jaguar E Pace Handicap – 1m Turf
With five UK trained horses in the race it looks like the top prize may go there. Out of the five preference is for the Richard Hannon trained KHAFOO SHEMEMI who made a reasonable UAE debut last time out. Three time distance winner, including a Listed victory, should be fitter for his first run in the region. Main danger looks likely to be the Richard Fahey trained Another Touch. If ignore debut in UAE, which was over inadequate trip, is also a Listed winner in the UK. The remaining UK trained horses, Salateen, Hors De Combat and London Protocol have place possibilities. Apart from the UK horses the Mike De Kock stable run two useful sorts. Suyoof who did not have a great start to this season but ran very well last season in the UAE and Icy Trail who having been off a year ran disappointing race on UAE but is a Group 2 winner.