Yesterday’s Review

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Today’s Advice

DJAFAR/RB BLYND DATE (8f Gp2) – So’ud has been put in as the short price favourite for today’s (1.30) Meydan and a tricky draw in stall 11 combined with a step up in grade on dirt makes me want to find an alternative. His last effort on dirt came over a year ago over 10f at Al Ain when finishing 1.5 lengths behind AF Esthata which would equate to a (60) timefigure at today’s weights. The former selection takes a drop in grade for today’s contest and the handicapper has rated him the best of today’s bunch with a rating of 115. The Doug Watson trained nine-year-old performed with credit when last seen finishing in fourth place in the Group 1 Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge over 9.5f back in January at today’s venue. On that occasion he raced in midfield before keeping on all the way to the line to record a (63) timefigure which would put him at the top of the timing charts for today’s contest. He has won over today’s distance in this company in the past and with a decent draw in stall 1 he looks to have plenty in his favour.

The latter selection looks a shade overpriced considering he put up a fine display last month when finishing less than a length back in third place behind Muthabir at Al Ain over the mile. He raced from stall 15 on that occasion and considering the brutal trip he had four wide the whole way he only just weakened out of it near the finish while recording a (59) timefigure at today’s weights. He should find this drop down in grade more suitable than the Group 1 contest he finished sixth in last December. I am willing to allow him that run considering he was back out 15 days after winning on seasonal debut. His draw in stall 7 should be much more manageable today with experienced pilot Richard Mullen doing the steering once again. This will be a step back up in grade for the five-year-old but his performances on the clock have shown that he should be competitive in today’s contest.

NYAAR (7f Hcap) – This Doug Watson trained six-year-old put in the strongest most recent effort of today’s contestants when recording a (108) timefigure over course and distance last time out when coming home 1.75 lengths clear of the opposition. The handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that performance but he was racing from a wide draw in stall 13 on that occasion and has drawn a much kinder slot in stall 4 for today’s (2.05) Meydan. The two time course and distance winner has taken his time to reach peak performance this season but he has shown in the past with his 4.5 length demolition of stablemate Atlantic Sky at the back-end of 2024 when recording a (111) timefigure that he can win off today’s handicap mark when he is at the top of his game.

BOMBAY BAZAAR (6f Hcap) – This five-year-old put in a joint career best timefigure of (110) last time out over 7f when trying to make all from a wide draw in stall 9 behind English Oak. He should appreciate the drop back in trip considering he was just worried out of the gold medal last season when finishing a half length behind Rasas over course and distance from a 4lb higher mark in a similar contest to today’s. Local champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea knows him well and a reproduction of either effort should see him go very close today. The handicapper has left him alone for that solid effort against stronger opponents than he will face in today’s (3.25) Meydan and he looks overpriced providing he can back that effort up.

BOLD OPTIMIST (6f Hcap) – The (5.45) Dundalk looks an interesting contest with connections of lightly raced favourite Go Out removing the cheekpieces from the four-year-old following a short head defeat over 7f at today’s venue last time out. The drop back in trip should suit and I awarded him a (104) timefigure when finishing under a length behind Dontspoilasale back in January following a 273 day break. The lightly raced son of Hello Youmzain has been priced short enough in the market and I am willing to take a chance on the selection who has yet to finish out of the frame from three efforts on the polytrack.

Last time out saw a return to form over the sharp 5f distance following a 189 day break when he kept on all the way to the line to finish less than a length behind Sporting Hero under the welter weight of 9st 13lbs. The handicapper has only raised him 2lbs for that performance and it is worth considering that he won off a 10lb higher mark at The Curragh back in August 2024. Connections have booked 10lb claimer Ross Fagan for the ride and the selection should have everything in his favour at the weights providing he can back up that effort three weeks later. This will be the apprentice’s fourth ride on the Flat and considering his three previous rides this will be his best chance to find the winner’s enclosure so far.

2pts win Djafar (7/2 Ladbrokes, Corals, Unibet) 1.30 Meydan

0.5pt e/way RB Blynd Date (11/1 Paddy Power, Unibet, Skybet) 1.30 Meydan

1pt e/way Nyaar (8/1 Unibet, 7/1 Betfred, 13/2 Paddy Power 5 places) 2.05 Meydan

1pt e/way Bombay Bazaar (8/1 Unibet, 15/2 Ladbrokes, Coral 4 places) 3.25 Meydan

0.75pt e/way Bold Optimist (8/1 Paddy Power, Skybet, 7/1 Boylesports 4 places) 5.45 Dundalk