Yesterday’s Review
No Investments
Today’s Advice
MUBEED (2000m Group 1 Pure Arabian) – The (1.35) Meydan revolves around the short priced favourite Tilal Al Khalediah, and if he can reproduce last year’s speed figure performance of (73) in this race he will be a tough one to beat. However, there have been signs this season that there may be a weakness in the champion. A neck defeat back in January to Asfan Al Khalediah (of which the detailed result I couldn’t find on the Saudi Arabian website) and a performance last time out at Riyadh that failed to have me reaching for the wallet for this race, which saw a mere (69) speed figure recorded on the clock. His one big asset is his early pace, and he has a decent draw in stall seven to come across and get a nice position. The one I like at the prices is Mubeed who recorded a solid (71) on the clock when winning over course and distance last month finishing three and a half lengths ahead of another of today’s rivals Tariq (67). He doesn’t have the early pace of his rivals, but jockey Ray Dawson knows him well having won three of his last four races on him, and hopefully he can find a decent position in behind what hopefully will be a strong pace. The selection responds very well under pressure, and can quicken at the business end of his races, a trait that is rarely found in the Purebred Arabians. Kanaille De Faust has put up some solid efforts in defeat this season, and although he disappointed last time out, he has a decent draw in stall one and could surprise at longer odds.
PEPTIDE NILE (1600m Godolphin Mile Group 1) – This Japanese seven-year-old is a previous Grade 1 winner over the mile, and performed with credit last time out finishing fourth in a hot Grade 1 race in Tokyo. He wears the blinkers for today’s (2.45) Meydan, which for some reason weren’t listed on the form last time out. A decent draw in stall nine should see him track the pace, and he should be capable of giving the US Grade 1 winning favourite Raging Torrent a decent run for his money. It should be interesting to see how multiple French winner No Lunch performs from a wide draw in stall thirteen, as he has looked impressive in lower grade races.
HEART OF HONOR (1900m UAE Derby Group 2) – This Jamie Osborne trained three-year-old looked to be the local horse to beat for this race following a fast finishing second behind Golden Vekoma in the UAE 2000 Guineas back in January. He once again finished all too late last time out behind Galactic Star in a race that he should have won easily. His problem for today’s (4.00) Meydan is his lack of early pace, which has seen connections reach for the first time blinkers. If they help him travel that bit better early on in his race, they could enable him to repeat his recent best efforts. The stronger they go up front the better for him, and there should be a decent pace on with the likes of Shin Forever and Galactic Star in the line-up. He looks worth a sporting interest to take on the favourite Flood Zone, who has been very impressive in his victories at Aqueduct and Gulfstream lately.
SHIN EMPEROR (2410m Sheema Classic Group 1) – A fascinating contest for the (5.50) Meydan, and one could make a case for on any of the front four in the betting. I went for the up and coming younger horse from that quartet who we have yet to see the best of so far. He won his warm-up race for this nicely in Riyadh by a length and three quarters from Calif, making all from the front over the extended ten furlongs. While he was second best to Do Deuce in a slowly run Japan Cup last November, that was nothing to be ashamed of, as that horse has been very much improved in his last two starts. The selection was the one to take from last year’s Champion Stakes at Leopardstown when staying on at the finish after not getting a clear run in the home straight. Favourite Calandagan showed excellent form in second behind City Of Troy in last year’s Juddmonte International, but was surprisingly beaten by Anmaat in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. For one that may have a quirk about him, I can let him win at the prices on offer. Rebel’s Romance did very well to win The Breeders’ Cup Turf from a wide draw, while Giavellotto took a slowly run Hong Kong Vase in mightily impressive style, having not got the clearest of runs through. Overall a race to savour, and at the prices on offer I am happy to have a small interest in the up and coming Japanese star.
It should be an exciting card at Meydan with the two superstars Romantic Warrior and Forever Young separated on the Turf and Dirt, and I will enjoy watching their performances today, but would not be getting involved at the prices on offer.
0.75pt e/way Mubeed (12/1 General) 1.35 Meydan
0.5pt e/way Kanaille De Faust (18/1 William Hill, 16/1 General) 1.35 Meydan
1pt e/way Peptide Nile (11/2 General 4 places only) 2.45 Meydan
0.75pt e/way Heart Of Honor (9/2 General) 4.00 Meydan
1pt e/way Shin Emperor (11/2 General) 5.50 Meydan
Paddy Power and Ladbrokes are paying four places in the opening race, so for those that can get on with these firms I would advise getting the extra place wherever possible.