AZIZI Riviera Handicap – 6f Turf

This looks set up nicely for FAATINAH. Won on UAE debut over course and distant. Arrived in the UAE with some good form in Australia. Second to Faatinah in that race was the very useful Baccarat who was making his seasonal debut. Although should improve from that run so should the selection. Only other horse of note in this race is the other Godolphin horse Steady Pace who was a creditable second last time out over course and distance.

Aliyah AZIZI Handicap – 1m1f Turf

Baroot has run well this season including a good performance last time out over course and distance. However difficult to see him reversing the form with the winner that day GOOD TRIP. The drop in weights appeared to help last time and remains on a winnable mark. Pillar Of Society could pose a threat to the selection after a good debut run in UAE behind the useful Ejaaby. Main concern is that tries this distance for the first time. Others of note are Mujeeb who is an interesting gelding making his UAE debut having some good form in France and Above Normal who has run well since arriving in the UAE and conditions will suit.

Firebreak Stakes Sponsored By AZIZI Developments Group 3 – 1m Dirt

Interesting Group 3 race. Heavy Metal has had a great season to date including a Group 2 course and distance victory. If allowed to dominate will go close again. BRAVE ZOLO won on this card last season and continued to improve including a Listed win in the UK. Has had two good runs this season in the UAE and is probably back to his preferred distance. Only concern would be if he handles the dirt for the first time but with a couple of wins on the all-weather in the UK this should not be an issue. Cosmo Charlie continues to be a progressive 4 year old and certainly one to watch.

Mina AZIZI Handicap – 6f Dirt

A number of these have question marks against them based on current form. Log Out Island is a Listed winner in the UK but made a disappointing start to his UAE career and is on the dirt for the first time. Noivado has strong claims on his Irish form but pulled up on his UAE debut. Yalta has run well since arriving in the UAE but yet to win. Stunned has run well this season without winning and you have to go back to 2016 for a course and distance victory. TAAMOL finished third last time out over course and distance having some reasonable form this season. Remains on a good handicap mark and that form should see him be able to take this race. Danger will probably come from the Godolphin Dubai One who despite making a poor UAE debut has good form in the UK.

Balanchine Sponsored By AZIZI Developments Group 2 – 1m1f Turf

Feature race on the card sees seven mares go to post. This looks set for a Godolphin winner. PROMISING RUN won a Group 2 last time out on her UAE seasonal debut on this track. Also is a Group 2 course and distance winner. The one to beat. Singyoursong made a poor UAE debut but does have some good UK form but the other UK trained mare Opal Tiara may be the one to give the selection something to think about. Has run well since arriving back in the UAE this season and last season was a course and distance winner.

AZIZI Victoria Handicap – 1m1f Turf

A competitive handicap with twelve runners going to post. Godolphin holds a strong hand with four runners. Kidmenever makes UAE seasonal debut with some good form last year in the UK and Australia. The fairly unexposed Mountain Hunter won last time out on the track and has some very strong form in the UK. Concern would be the significant rise in weight since his last run. Preference from the Godolphin team would be for BLAIR HOUSE who has run well on both his starts to date in the UAE and this slight drop back in trip should suit. The danger to Godolphin will probably come from El Loco making his UAE debut but strong form in Germany and In The Lope who was behind Mountain Hunter on UAE debut and could reverse that form as remains on a handy mark.

Shaista AZIZI Handicap – 7f Turf

Another competitive handicap finishes the card off. Godolphin holds another strong hand with three entries. Top Score was a course and distance winner last season. Disappointed on UAE debut and did not show great deal of good form in the UK last year. Van Der Decken probably looks the best chance for Godolphin and made a reasonable seasonal debut last time out having been off the track for a year. Is a course and distance winner and probably will come on for that last run. Silver Line ran well on his UAE debut. Has competed in the top company in the UK but still only victory to date was his maiden. That leaves an opportunity for the Richard Hannon trained pair. Top weight in the race Oh This Is Us returns to the UAE having won a Listed event in the UK last year. However preference is for the other Hannon horse GEORGE WILLIAM who did not make a particular good UAE debut but has some good form in the UK.

Carl Templeton-Smith

Twitter – @northracingclub