Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Apotheosis – A very disappointing performance from the selection who trailed home in fifteenth place just over 32 lengths behind the winner. A much better display was expected and he was backed from 13/2 into 11/2. There was no mention of the performance in the stewards report and it will be interesting to see what transpires from here. The morning favourite Force And Valour won very well and he had no problem with the quick turnaround following a tough enough race seven days ago.
Today’s Advice
BAHR ALENAYA (6f Mdn) – Abu Alossool, short price favourite for today’s (12.55) Riyadh, put in a career best (95) timefigure last time out when finishing just over a length behind Mumterah. That was his first contest in 337 days and it will be interesting to see if he can match that effort back out fourteen days later. At the prices on offer it might be worthwhile taking him on with the selection. An eight place finish when beaten just over 11 lengths in a Class 4 contest over the mile yielded a (93) timefigure and he should appreciate the drop back in trip to today’s six furlongs. His profile has a much more consistent look to it and he made the podium on his three previous outings at today’s venue. A reproduction of his (97) timefigure over course and distance last March would see him give the favourite a proper race. He does have a 49 day absence to overcome so stakes should be kept low on account of this.
MAHBOOK (6f Mdn) – This four-year-old colt tops the timing charts for today’s (1.20) Riyadh based on his latest effort over 9f when I awarded him a (99) timefigure. On that occasion he made most of the running from a wide draw in stall twelve before weakening into sixth place entering the final furlong. The drop back to six furlongs and the application of first time blinkers should make him a tough proposition to catch in today’s contest and he should benefit from a kinder draw in stall four.
The short priced favourite Alhalim hasn’t been seen in public since finishing in fifth place 10.5 lengths behind Alabraz over seven furlongs 400 days ago. I awarded him an (89) timefigure for that performance but it looks like better is expected today. However, at the prices I was happy to take him on with the selection.
FEELINGS (9f Open) – Ra Aee Alawala’s 10 length demolition job last time out yielded a (113) timefigure and while the favourite for today’s (3.45) Riyadh may have looked a well beaten runner-up on that occasion it was a career best (104) timefigure from the three-year-old. He was wearing first time blinkers that day over course and distance and a reproduction of that should make him very difficult to beat against very limited opposition.
Second favourite Nadian has been well beaten in two maidens over the mile and both performances have yielded (94) timefigures. The step up to today’s trip may see some improvement but as things stand the favourite looks the one they all have to beat.
1pt win Bahr Alenya (3/1 general) 12.55 Riyadh
1pt e/way Mahbook (4/1 general) 1.20 Riyadh
2pts win Feelings (11/10 general) 3.45 Riyadh