Yesterday’s Review

0.5pt e/way Clansman (106) – The selection’s job was made easier with the withdrawal of the favourite Jodhpur Blue. Nevertheless, the race went according to plan as he made all at a decent pace to expose the stamina doubts of some of his rivals. It was a perfect ride from jockey Billy Garritty who had a half length to spare at the line. Result 1st 11/1 adv….11/2 SP (Rule 4 30p).

1pt win Beale Street (104) – A race where the predicted early pace never materialised as Fortamour (92) was strangled to the rear and Fan Mail reverted to racing prominently. Thankfully, Irish Nectar (100) took up the front-running role and did just enough to enable the selection to come from the rear with a withering run to wear down Juan Les Pins (104) by a short head at the line. A race where jockey Paul Mulrennan did everything right to take the gold medal…Result 1st 6/1 adv…5/1 SP.

Today’s Advice

RAASIL (7f Mdn) – Mystery Chime current favourite for the (2.05) Meydan sits at the top of my timefigure chart with a strong (105) recorded when last seen finishing behind Gray Boss over course and distance last November. He has been priced accordingly and if he is in the same mood 126 days later he will be hard to beat. The selection didn’t look up to much back in the States but found a bit more when bumping into runaway winner Magic Art last month also over course and distance. I awarded him a (102) timefigure for that performance where he raced in midfield and kept on to find the winner 8 lengths too good. He wouldn’t be the heartiest of finishers judging by the video for that race but the way this race has shaped up and the fact that the Bhupat Seemar stable are known for leaving a bit to work on going forward it would be no surprise if he caused a bit of an upset today.

SAN SEBASTIAN (9f Hcap) – This five-year-old has already won over today’s distance and further back in Czechoslovakia when trained by Urbanek Lubo. His fourth placed finish behind The Fingal Raven (a decent winner since) caught the eye having raced wide from stall 16 before finishing nicely to snatch fourth place over the mile at today’s venue. It looked like his next race came too soon for him just seven days later when he could only manage a seventh place finish behind Tailgunner Joe, who he reopposes on 8lb better terms. The extra furlong of today’s (2.50) Meydan should be right up his street and he we will be hoping jockey Charlie Bennett (who has been having a quiet time of it this year) can navigate a path from the inside draw. The more pace on up front the better for him and although the night before burglars have stolen our price he still looks worth a play at double figure odds.

DESERT HORIZON (9f 98y Hcap) – The (3.25) Meydan looks a race worth getting involved in as the current favourite War Hawk has proven a tad disappointing on the clock away from Jebel Ali where he has recorded a brace of (107) timefigures. He might just well be in the grips of the handicapper at the moment and it could pay to look elsewhere for an alternative. The selection looked very ordinary last year and only showed his first worthwhile bit of form on the clock back in January at Sharjah over ten furlongs when finishing in third place behind a rejuvinated Yuvraaj. He raced from a wide draw in stall 12 on that occasion and having raced prominently weakened towards the finish. I awarded him a (103) timefigure for that performance and he came forward from that nicely last time out when taking his maiden over course and distance with a (106) timefigure. He raced prominently once again before leading inside the final furlong to hold Hidden Secret by a length and a half at the line. Trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri looks to have the likeable grey in decent form at the moment and although the handicapper has upped his rating by 8lbs a reproduction of his latest effort should see him surprise a few ahead of him in the market today.

DIAMOND DEALER (8f Hcap) – This Bhupat Seemar trained four-year-old had risen 10lbs up the handicap ratings this season with a couple of wins at Jebel Ali before really impressing last time out over course and distance when recording a (110) timefigure from a wide draw in stall 11 last month. He raced in touch of the leaders on that occasion and found extra when asked for his effort two furlongs out to finish 2.75 lengths clear of Force And Valour at the line. The handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that effort and a reproduction of that form would have him ahead of current faourite Jolly Roger in my books who has yet to race at today’s course. It looks the best form on offer and it all really boils down to whether he can build on that performance for today’s (5.45) Meydan. He will have the services of champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea on board once again and a kinder draw in stall 5 should ensure that he has every chance to back up his latest form.

0.5pt e/way Raasil (13/2 Ladbrokes, Corals, 11/2 general) 2.05 Meydan

0.75pt e/way San Sebastian (12/1 general 4 places) 2.50 Meydan (5 places Paddy Power, Skybet, Bet365 for those who can avail of the offer)

1pt e/way Desert Horizon (7/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, Betvictor 4 places) 3.25 Meydan (5 places Paddy Power, Skybet, Bet365)

1pt win Diamond Dealer (4/1 general) 5.45 Meydan