Ron Wood Meydan Racing Guide - 7 February

Numbers before horses' names below are horse number and draw (in brackets).

1.30pm (GMT) - Azizi Venice Handicap (Turf) 1m

1. (4) FLYING HUNTER

8/239 5yo b g Maclean’s Music - Owl Moon (Ghostzapper) Ahmad bin Harmash; Saif Al Balushi COMMENT: Raced only on dirt including a win at Jebel Ali; well beaten in 9.5f Listed race latest; drops in class and trip, and surface switch is worth a try, but he isn’t bred for turf.

2. (16) IN CROWD

556-00 7yo ch h Dubawi - In Clover (Inchinor) Salem bin Ghadayer; Xavier Ziani COMMENT: Last win came in French Listed race in 2022; raced almost exclusively on dirt in UAE; badly out of form this season and has a tough draw, but return to turf might help and he is effectively class dropping.

3. (12) TAFREEJ

2/9-09 5yo b g Shamardal - Taqaareed (Sea The Stars)  Ali Al Badwawi; Jim Crowley COMMENT: Useful handicapper in Britain in 2023; hasn’t shown enough in two starts since back from a year off this term, even allowing for meeting a bit of traffic both times; now visored.

4. (7) THE ICE PHOENIX

8614-8 4yo gr/r c Phoenix Of Spain - Bratislava (Dr Fong) Lucie Botti; Mickael Barzalona COMMENT: Useful 1m handicapper in Britain before being sold for 215,000gns in October; faded to midfield on UAE debut here but that was 9.5f, he raced freely with minimal cover from wide draw and he’d been off for 107 days; now back down in trip in a switch of headgear; could show up well.

5. (13) THYER

1/15-0 4yo b g Gleneagles - Magical Rhythms (Pioneer of The Nile) Lucie Botti; Dylan McMonagle COMMENT: Had just five starts; two 1m novice wins in Britain; didn’t show much on UAE debut here, but that was 9.5f and he’d been off for 105 days; may do better now.

6. (15) FOLK FESTIVAL

1 4yo b g Blue Point - Siamsaiocht (Teofilo) Salem bin Ghadayer; Bernardo Pinheiro COMMENT: 200,000gns yearling; didn’t make the track for Godolphin; took keen hold but kept on well to win 16-runner 1m Abu Dhabi maiden on recent debut; wide draw no help, but he could prove quite useful.

7. (10) ARABIC ART

2/5 4yo ch g Dark Angel - Wonderwell (New Approach) Doug Watson; Pat Dobbs COMMENT: Given a handicap mark from just two runs that were separated by 520 days; runner-up in 7f Yarmouth maiden on debut; encouraging comeback over 6f here last month; wasn’t helped by being short of room out of the stalls and he was much shorter in the betting than second-placed stablemate with similar profile; new trip, but the dam won over 10.5f; it’s two years since the trainer had a winner at Meydan, but this one might put that right.

8. (2) NO RETREAT

322-2 4yo b c Siyouni - Isabel De Urbina (Lopa de Vega) Fawzi Abdulla Nass; Adrie de Vries COMMENT: Ex-Roger Varian; 1l second to Folk Festival in 1m Abu Dhabi maiden on local debut after three months off; started slowly then and edged left under pressure, but may be fitter now and has a kinder draw than his old foe.

9. (9) EXPERT CHOICE

5661-8 4yo b g Expert Eye - Pigota (Invincible Spirit) Julio Olascoaga; Pat Dobbs COMMENT: Won 7f Abu Dhabi handicap in December; raced wide without cover before fading in 7f handicap here latest; could now build on the Abu Dhabi win if ridden to finish.

10. (1) LENORMAND

61/3/0 5yo b g Dubawi - Baisse (High Chaparral) Osama Refai; Richard Mullen COMMENT: Won 1m Newmarket maiden for Charlie Appleby in 2022; missed 2024 (other than being sold for 160,000AED in March); well beaten in 7f handicap here on recent comeback and stable debut; may be fitter now, goes back up in trip and drawn to save ground, but still unappealing.

11. (3) EL BOSNIA

2-112- 8yo b g Caradac - Ebalviyra (Anabaa) G Arizkorreta Elosegui; Vaclav Janacek COMMENT: Spanish-trained runner who won two 7f claimers in France last year; unappealing.

12. (8) MOMARASA

60424/ 7yo c g Dubawi - Farmah (Speightstown) Doug Watson; Sam Hitchcott COMMENT: Useful triple 1m-1m1f winner in France, in blinkers, but off since 2022 and is down the pecking order on jockey bookings for first UAE start; headgear off.

13. (5) ALGERNON

34251- 5yo b g Showcasing - Caponata (Selkirk) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Silvestre de Sousa COMMENT: Won modest 1m Jebel Ali handicap latest; acts on this course as well, but more needed.

14. (11) CASTLEBAR

0/00-0 7yo b g Invincible Spirit - Aimhirgin Lass (Pivotal) Mohammed al Shamsi; Charlie Bennett COMMENT: Last win came over 9.5f here three years ago; no worthwhile form for ages, although 7f was too short on recent comeback.

16. (6) HONEST DESIRE

1/09-0 4yo b g Frankel - Umniyah (Shamardal) Bhupat Seemar; Pat Cosgrave COMMENT: Useful 6f AW win in Britain in 2023, but has struggled in three UAE starts this term.

17. (14) KING’S FOUNTAIN 247-v3

4yo b g Too Darn Hot - Lixirova (Slickly) A bin Harmash; Reserve COMMENT: Winless, but has been running creditably on dirt this season and he earlier went okay on turf in Britain; return to grass could do the trick.

RESERVE / PERFECT LOVE 000-0

6yo b g Heliostatic - Per Amore (Honour and Glory) Ahmed Al Shemaili COMMENT: Useful form in defeat on this track in 2023 but has badly lost his way, virtually being pulled up at Jebel Ali latest.

BETTING FORECAST: 5/2 Arabic Art, 5/1 Folk Festival, No Retreat, 7/1 Algernon, 8/1 The Ice Phoenix, 10/1 Thyer, 14/1 Expert Choice, Flying Hunter, Tafreej, 25/1 El Bosnia, In Crowd, 33/1 Lenormand, Honest Desire, Momarasa, 66/1 Castlebar

RON WOOD'S VIEW: Plenty of runners but most of these can be discounted and ARABIC ART appeals most. The form of his stable is a worry, but he’s been given a handicap mark on scant evidence and there was enough from his recent comeback to think he can improve. Folk Festival looked a useful prospect when winning an Abu Dhabi maiden on his recent debut, but he has a tough draw. No Retreat, 1l second that day, might turn the form around from a more favourable post. The Ice Phoenix is another who may be worth a look.

2.40pm (GMT) - Dubai Trophy (conditions) (turf) 6f

1. (3) JUNGLE DRUMS 2171-9 3yo b g Bungle Inthejungle - Ayr Missile (Cadeaux Genereux) Jamie Osborne; Saffie Osbourne COMMENT: Ex-Karl Burke; improved to win 6f York Listed race in October but the ground was soft; sold for 75,000gns later the same month; well beaten in a similar race to this over C&D on reappearance/stable debut.

2. (2) REBEL DIAMOND 1111-6 3yo ch c Cotai Glory - Periwinkle (Teofilo) Alban de Mieulle; James Doyle COMMENT: Three 6f wins in a row in Ireland including Listed race and completed four-timer in 7f conditions event in Qatar in December; probably stretched by 7.5f in Qatar latest; might still have more to give.

3. (8) ARZ LEBNAN 6-083 3yo ch c Munnings - Sweet Awakening (Street Cry) Rashed Bouresly; Carlos Henrique COMMENT: Maiden; well behind Symbol Of Honour over C&D two starts back (wasn’t blinkered then; has the headgear now).

4. (7) DARK SAFFRON 213-3 3yo db/br g Flameaway - Meadow Saffron (Military) Ahmad bin Harmash; Connor Beasley COMMENT: Speedy; won 6f dirt maiden in November that’s working out well; most recently third behind Symbol Of Honour when switched to turf over C&D.

5. (4) FEERAAS 3561-3 3yo ch g Earthlight - Imtiyaaz (Starspangledbanner) Salman Al Sabri; Tadhg O’Shea COMMENT: Won 7f Class 5 Musselburgh nursery for Archie Watson before being sold for 28,000gns last year; recent UAE debut at Jebel Ali was okay, but this requires way more and will most likely be beyond him; cheekpieces refitted.

6. (5) KING’S CALL 826-47 3yo b g Dandy Man - Play Mate (Showcasing) Dylan Cunha; Ray Dawson COMMENT: Useful fourth against older rivals in C&D handicap on reappearance; disappointing behind Symbol Of Honour next time, although maybe that came too soon only a week on; has had four weeks into this; now blinkered.

7. (6) SYMBOL OF HONOUR 1624-1 3yo gr g Havana Grey - Arcamist (Arcano) Charlie Appleby - William Buick COMMENT: Smart performance in winning C&D conditions race on reappearance, just edging out West Acre who won 5f Group 2 next time (almost 6l back to third-placed Dark Saffron); there’s nothing of that horse’s calibre in this, so he should follow up.

8. (9) WAR SOCKS 5 3yo ch c Kameko - Courteous Crown (Helmet) Niels Petersen; Carlos Lopez COMMENT: 115,000 euros yearling; faced tough task in C&D conditions race on debut but shaped with promise behind Symbol Of Honour, keeping on after getting behind; was beaten 10l but should improve.

9. (1) WHITEGATE 5- 3yo gr c Dark Angel - Morsian (Dubawi) Ahmad bin Harmash; Silvestre De Sousa COMMENT: 140,000 euros buy last May; showed ability in 5f Cork maiden for Paddy Twomey in August (11-4 SP); interesting contender, although appears to be connections’ second string behind Dark Saffron.

BETTING FORECAST: 2/7 Symbol Of Honour, 12/1 King’s Call, Rebel Diamond, War Socks, 14/1 Dark Saffron, 20/1 Jungle Drums, Whitegate, 66/1 Arz Lebnan, Feeraas

RON WOOD'S VIEW: This should go to SYMBOL OF HONOUR, whose C&D defeat of West Acre - which wasn’t far off the course record - looks even better in light of that one lowering the 5f track record in a Group 2 next time. War Socks made a nice debut in the Symbol Of Honour race and might be next best now.

3:15 GMT - Aziza Mini (conditions) (dirt) 1 mile

1. (8) ARABIAN ANGEL 221-

3yo b c Dark Angel - Dorraar (Shamardal) Bhupat Seemar; Andrew Slattery COMMENT: Ex-Karl Burke; narrow front-running winner of 7f Redcar novice in October on third start; sold for 180,000gns later the same month; has a smart pedigree but there’s only minor encouragement for thinking he’ll handle the dirt; down the pecking order on stable jockey bookings for UAE debut.

2. (10) GALACTIC STAR 1

3yo ch g Improbable - Stella’s Dream (Pioneerof The Nile) Bhupat Seemar: Tadhg O’Shea COMMENT: 185,000gns buy last April; showed willing attitude to win modest 6f Jebel Ali event on recent debut (11-2 SP); this different test should be fine for him and he’s open to improvement.

3. (9) AL FAREEQ 7

3yo bb c Mitole - Inspeightof (Orb)  Ahmad bin Harmash; Connor Beasley COMMENT: $170,000 buy last April; dwelt start, travelled nicely behind the leaders, faded in the straight in C&D conditions event on debut (66-1); stamina is a question mark (sire and dam were both speed runners), but the stable’s horses can improve a lot for a run and he looks to have the pace to show up well, as long as he’s sharper out of the gates this time.

4. (2) ARABIAN STORY 6

3yo b c Invincible Spirit - Delphinidae (Sepoy) Saeed bin Suroor; Dylan McMonagle COMMENT: There’s some encouragement for dirt in his pedigree and he made a respectable debut in a tough race over 7f here last month (25-1); ought to improve.

5. (13) CASINO BAY 5

3yo bb c Complexity - Bares Tripper (Sky Mesa) Bhupat Seemar; Patrick Cosgrave COMMENT: Faded behind Galactic Star in 6f Jebel Ali event on recent debut (7-1); much more needed; wide draw no help.

6. (14) DIAMOND DEALER 22-6

3yo ch c Lord Nelson - Catching Diamonds (Into Mischief) Bhupat Seemar; Richard Mullen; COMMENT: Runner-up in 7f events on first two starts including here; however, reportedly finished lame when well beaten latest (6f) and is now blinkered; drawn wide, and Tadhg O’Shea jumps ship.

7. (11) KAHTEER

3yo ch g Tiz The Law - Sharp Instinct (Awesome Again) Ismail Mohammed; Sandro Paiva COMMENT: Useful pedigree but went for only $4,000 as a yearling; third of eight in recent 5f trial here; unappealing.

8. (1) MOON BLADE 8

3yo b c Central Banker - Adira (Quality Road) Marwan al Baidhaei; Adrie de Vries COMMENT: Finished last in 6f Jebel Ali maiden on debut in January (11-1), but he cost $140,000 last June and he’s a May foal who could improve now he’s had a run and more time, and goes up in trip from the sometimes favourable inside stall.

9. (3) ON MY EYES

3yo b c Honor A.P. - Now Blessed (Tiznow) Ismail Mohamed; Charlie Bennett COMMENT: $5,500 yearling; behind stablemate Kahteer in 5f trial here the other week.

10. (6) ON THE WAY 22

3yo bb c Honor A.P. - Black Diamond Girl (Hard Spun) Salem bin Ghadayer; Bernado Pinheiro COMMENT: Runner-up in two 6f-7f Jebel Ali starts including behind Galactic Star on debut; gets a headgear switch.

11. (7) POET ORTEN 434-

3yo bb c Zelzal - High Live (Dunkerque) Ingrid Koplikova; Silvestre de Sousa COMMENT: Beaten in three ordinary 1m-1m2f turf races in France; isn’t bred for dirt.

12. (12) POLITICAL TRUTH

3yo gr c Liam's Map - Patrisan Politics (More Than Ready) Salem bin Ghadayer; Xavier Ziani COMMENT: 85,000gns buy last May; useful pedigree that’s a mix of dirt and turf; third of five in 4f Jebel Ali trial recently; stable second string on jockeys behind On The Way.

13. (5) SARHAN 708

3yo b c Bernardini - Cheery (Distorted Humor) Rashed Bouresly; Carlos Henrique COMMENT: Modest on turf but he’s a half-brother to dirt Grade 1 winner Elate; could improve.

14. (4) ZOREN 6

3yo b g Mckinzie - Garter (Bernardini) Ahmad bin Harmash; Saif Al Balushi COMMENT: Behind three of these rivals in 6f Jebel Ali contest on debut (20-1).

BETTING FORECAST:

9/4 Galactic Star, 11/4 Arabian Story, 7/1 Al Fareeq, 7/1 On The Way, 12/1 Arabian Angel, 16/1 Casino Bay, Diamond Dealer, 20/1 Poet Orten, Political Truth, Sarhan, 25/1 Kahteer, Moon Blade, Zoren, 50/1 On My Eyes

RON WOOD'S VIEW:

The level needed to win this race doesn’t look like being particularly high. Galactic Star created a nice impression when successful at Jebel Ali on his debut, but he was allowed to go off 11-2 and it wasn’t a strong race. Arabian Story is a potential improver but doesn’t look a star. Instead, it might be worth taking AL FAREEQ to build on his debut form. He did show a bit and the trainer’s horses can improve a lot for their first run, plus he now gets headgear. Moon Blade might also be worth a glance.

3.50 (GMT) - Lord Glitter Handicap (turf) 1m1f

1. (11) GALEN 1148-4

4yo ch g Gleneagles - Apache Storm (Pivotal) Joseph O’Brien; Dylan McMonagle COMMENT: Fourth in C&D handicap on reappearance, just behind Arabian Light, not quite seeing out his first try at the distance having had a wide trip; has had only seven starts and that came off a four-month break (first start since gelded), so he should build on it, albeit drawn in double figures again.

2. (9) JEFF KOONS 41/38-

5yo b h Frankel - Quidura (Dubawi)  Hamad Al Jehani; Faleh Bughanaim COMMENT: Smart in Qatar last winter but has been off for a year and James Doyle seemingly prefers the same connections’ Native American.

3. (5) SEAN 3464-0

8yo b h Excelebration - Sharin (Areion)  Jamie Osborne; Adrie De Vries COMMENT: Has run well in defeat here a few times; looked to be picking up before running into traffic in the straight although made no impression when in the clear in 1m2f handicap here latest; just a bit more needed to have a say.

4. (10) STORMY OCEAN 241-75

6yo b g Frankel - As Good As Gold (Oasis Dream)  Ahmad bin Harmash; Connor Beasley COMMENT: Looked to run better than ever when fifth in 1m2f Group 3 here last week, but the handicapper didn’t miss him so he needs to progress again to defy his revised mark.

5. (3) ARABIAN LIGHT 211-3

4yo b g Kingman - Pure Diamond (Street Cry)  Charlie Appleby; William Buick COMMENT: Three starts in Britain last year, finishing second to an unbeaten subsequent Group 3 winner before winning two novices; third but most likely would have been second at least had he got a clear run in C&D handicap on reappearance; note, he was punted into 4-7 favourite while his successful stablemate went off 9-1, and the winner followed up in a Group 3; handicap mark is unchanged and he’s probably some way ahead of his mark.

6. (12) NATIVE AMERICAN 05936-

4yo b g Sioux Nation - Pencarrow (Green Desert)  Hamad Al Jehani; James Doyle COMMENT: Bordering on smart over 7f-1m in Britain last year; most recently sixth in 10.5f Qatar Derby; competitively weighted on his best and will appreciate the drop back in trip, although the wide draw not so much.

7. (15) OUZO 7056-6

9yo b g Charm Spirit - Miss Meltemi (Miswaki Tern)  Jamie Osborne; Saffie Osbourne COMMENT: Won two C&D handicaps last term including this race; didn’t get much of a run on reappearance (behind some of these rivals); will be dropped out from wide gate and needs the gaps to appear.

8. (7) HANS ANDERSEN 908-78

5yo b h Frankel - Shadow Hunter (Arcano) Veronika Jandova; Carlos Lopez COMMENT: Ex-Aidan O’Brien; hint of promise on dirt first up in UAE, but poor show in turf Group 3 last week.

9. (6) LANEQASH 0743-8

7yo b g Cable Bay - Bonhomie (Shamardal) Bhupat Seemar; Jim Crowley COMMENT: Way more needed than he managed in C&D handicap contested by a few of these latest.

10. (8) MOUNTBATTEN 1016-8

6yo br g Dabirsim - Sapore Di Roma (Danehill Dancer) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Daniel Tudhope COMMENT: Won 1m handicap here last February and didn’t run badly over 7f latest, but needs career best to defy current mark; first try over this far.

11. (14) MONAADAH 3617-0

6yo ch g Giant's Causeway - Almusafa (Haafhd) Buhpat Seemar; Andrew Slattery COMMENT: Played up in the stalls and taken out of his comfort zone pace-wise when well beaten over 7f here latest; this step up in trip is a plus, but he’s drawn wide and others are more convincing.

12. (1) KALIDASA 146-2

4yo b g Frankel - So Mi Dar (Dubawi) Charlie Appleby; Mickael Barzalona COMMENT: By Frankel out of a Group 3 winner and went for 2,800,000gns as a yearling; lightly raced; took strong hold and went well clear before being reeled in late when second in 1m4f handicap here on reappearance, his first start for 169 days (second string on jockeys); might be fitter now, and shorter trip and inside stall may help him; up 4lb but potential to rate higher still, for all that he’s second string again.

13. (4) MOVIE MAKER /410-7

4yo g g Invincible Spirit - Isabella Linton (New Approach) Saeed bin Suroor; Tadhg O'Shea COMMENT: Two 6f-7f heavy-ground Newbury wins; below that form in three Meydan starts; step up in trip seems a desperate move.

15. (2) SILVER SWORD 022-5

5yo g g Charm Spirit - Aurora Gray (Rip Van Winkle) Dylan Cunha; Ray Dawson COMMENT: Unplaced in two handicaps here this term, behind two of these rivals over this trip latest although had a wide trip and made his move early; well weighted on his best and drawn to save ground.

16. (13) SILENT DEFENSE 66-943

5yo b h National Defense - Dancing D Queen (Casamento) Rashed Bouresly; Carlos Henrique COMMENT: Being kept busy; met significant trouble when ninth in C&D handicap three starts back; has twice run well over just 6f since then; might have more to give.

JAHOORI / RESERVE /102-0

6yo c g Nathaniel - Ta Ammol (Halling) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Reserve COMMENT: Patchy record but even his best form leaves him short of the level required now.

PADISHAKH / RESERVE 2096-5

5yo bb g Wootton Bassett - Penny Lane (Lord Of England) David O'Meara; Reserve COMMENT: Well weighted on the pick of his European form and didn’t run badly in 1m2f handicap here on reappearance considering he got too far back from a wide draw.

RUSSIPANT FAL / RESERVE 826-00

6yo b h Russian Cross - Pantherii (Forest Wildcat) N Caullery; Reserve COMMENT: French runner who has finished well beaten in two handicaps here this year, but didn’t have room to challenge latest so could do better.

BETTING FORECAST: 4/5 Arabian Light, 5/1, Kalidasa, 8/1 Galen, 12/1 Ouzo, 20/1 Native American, Sean, Silver Sword, 25/1 Jeff Koons, Silent Defense, Stormy Ocean, 33/1 Hans Andersen, Monaadah, Mountbatten, Movie Maker, Silent Film, 66/1 Laneqash

RON WOOD'S VIEW: A few with claims in a good handicap but it’s probably best to, unoriginally, focus on the front three in the betting forecast, as they are potentially well weighted, in particular the Charlie Appleby runners ARABIAN LIGHT, the most convincing option, and Kalidasa, who still needs to put it altogether. The amount of money that came for Arabian Light last time seems significant considering he was so much shorter in the betting than a stablemate who won the race and who followed up in a Group 3. Arabian Light didn’t get a chance to show his best. He’d have been second at worst with a clear run, and had that been the case his only two defeats would have come against horses who then won in Group company. He’s probably much better than his mark of 100. Galen is the other to look at.

4.25 (GMT) - Azizi Riviera handicap (turf) 6f

1. (11) MISTER SKETCH 60396-

4yo b g Territories - Drawing (Dark Angel) Hamad Al Jehani; James Doyle COMMENT: Second in Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury as a 2yo; found it tough going in Britain last year but he’s dropped to a handy mark and, having had only eight starts and now being with a new stable, potentially has more to give.

2. (13) TOPPER BILL 7106-3

7yo b g Intrinsic - Alyaa (Iffraaj) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Daniel Tudhope COMMENT: Three 5f-7f wins here including handicap last season; most recently close third in C&D handicap; thereabouts.

3. (3) BATWAN 008-78

10yo gr g Kendargent - Matwan (Indian Rocket)  N Caullery; Adrie De Vries COMMENT: Two C&D wins in 2022; didn’t run badly on reappearance, before poor showing in Listed race last week; drops in class but is on the downgrade.

4. (6) KAL BARG 54025-

5yo db h Mark Valeski - Faith Proof (Idiot Proof)  Michael Costa; Ben Coen COMMENT: Off since below form at Jebel Ali in November and needs to resume with a career best.

5. (5) SILKY WILKIE 203-00

6yo b g Mehmas - Vasoni (Redback) Karl Burke; Jim Crowley COMMENT: Second in last season’s Ayr Gold Cup, but has run two shockers at Meydan this year.

6. (10) THUNDER OF NIAGARA 590-32

7yo b g Night Of Thunder - Cairncross (Cape Cross) Ahmad bin Harmash; Connor Beasley COMMENT: Handicap winner here two years ago and back in form with a couple of placed efforts lately (Meydan and Abu Dhabi; travelled well latest); player.

7. (14) POWER MODE 5185-0

4yo ch g Speight's Town - Beyond Our Reach (Danehill Dancer) Buhpat Seemar; Tadhg O'Shea COMMENT: Useful handicapper in Ireland before being sold for 40,000gns in October; squeezed out start and got no run at all in the straight when down the field at Abu Dhabi on recent UAE debut; competitively weighted on his best.

8. (12) JUMAIRA BAY 40274-

8yo b g Siyouni - Desert Sunrise (Green Desert) Doug Watson; Pat Dobbs COMMENT: Two good placed efforts over 7f here last season and ran well on dirt in November; subsequent absence is disconcerting, but this drop to 6f (first go over this short on turf) is an interesting move; contender if resuming in form.

9. (2) JUNGLE MAC 2100-4

4yo b g Bungleinthejungle - Kerrys Requiem (King's Best) Bhupat Seemar; Pat Cosgrave COMMENT: Two 6f-1m wins in Britain last year; ran well when fourth in 6f Abu Dhabi handicap on recent UAE debut (behind Thunder Of Niagara), being dropped out last from wide gate yet still forced widest with his bid and making up a lot of ground before flattening out near the line; that was his first start in 115 days and there’s a fair chance he builds on it.

10. (9) OLYMPIC CANDLE 5422-9

4yo b g Profitable - Delphinidae (Sepoy) Saeed bin Suroor; Charlie Bennett COMMENT: Raced over further since defeating Jungle Mac in 6f AW novice in Britain in 2023; minor encouragement from off steady pace in 7f handicap here on reappearance; possible contender.

11. (4) DESERT SAFARI /2609-

8yo b g Slade Power - Risen Sun (Shamardal) Salem bin Ghadayer; Xavier Ziani COMMENT: Was useful handicapper in Britain, last winning in 2021; raced only on dirt in UAE; needs big return to form after 11 months off and is stable second string on jockeys behind Action Point, but return to turf could spark him back to life.

12. (1) PEN PORTRAIT 9601-6

4yo c g Night Of Thunder - Beautiful Memory (Invincible Spirit) Simon & Ed Crisford; Dylan McMonagle COMMENT: Both UAE starts have come on dirt, winning at Sharjah and then with excuses when below form here; fully effective on turf and potentially still has more to give.

13. (15) ACTION POINT 83-960

4yo b g Blue Point - Khaleesi Wind (Exceed And Excel) Salem bin Ghadayer; Bernardo Pinheiro COMMENT: Last win came in 6f Newbury Listed race in 2023; below form in three UAE starts, although was rushed up to contest strong pace before fading at Abu Dhabi latest and the handicapper dropped him 5lb for that.

14. (8) HARVEST GOLD 8/61-6

7yo br g Golden Horn - Silk Words (Dubawi) Elise Jeanne; Silvestre de Sousa COMMENT: Has placed over C&D five times and won Jebel Ali maiden in December, but needs to be as good as ever to take out a competitive handicap like this.

15. (7) WELLEEF 59/0-8

5yo b h Lope de Vega - Romaana (Iffraaj) Ahmed Al Shemaili; Richard Mullen COMMENT: Lightly raced; 7f turf winner in Britain in 2023; showed speed before weakening badly in two dirt starts here since returning from an absence this winter; maybe this greater speed test will help him.

BETTING FORECAST: 9/2 Thunder Of Niagara, 6/1 Pen Portrait, Topper Bill, 7/1 Jungle Mac, 9/1 Olympic Candle, Power Mode, 10/1 Jumaira Bay, Mister Sketch, 14/1 Kal Barg, 16/1 Harvest Gold, 20/1 Batwan, Desert Safari, Silky Wilkie, 25/1 Action Point, Welleef

RON WOOD'S VIEW: A case can be made for most of these, but THUNDER OF NIAGARA looks ready to win again so he’s the choice, with Jungle Mac second pick. Mister Sketch is also of some interest, although his lack of a recent run is a little off-putting.

5:00 GMT - Burj Azizi (Dirt) 1m2f

1. (5) NEW LONDON /435-4

6yo b g Dubawi - Bright Beacon (Manduro) Charlie Appleby; William Buick COMMENT: Raced only on turf; won 1m4f Group 3 and second in the St Leger (14.5f) in Britain in 2022; became disappointing, most recently fourth in 1m6f conditions race here; this surface switch is worth a go seeing as he’s by the track’s leading sire; brother to C&D winner Al Nayyir although he later improved on turf.

2. (7) MENDELSSOHN BAY 4141-6

4yo bb g Mendelssohn - Reiki Baby (Curlin) Bhupat Seemar; Patrick Cosgrave COMMENT: Quirky; three course wins including last season’s Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas and 9.5f conditions race this term, but needs to bounce back from poor showing latest.

3. (8) BASE NOTE 57060-

6yo b g Shamardal - Fragrancy (Singspiel) Simon & Ed Crisford; Mickael Barzalona COMMENT: Smart on AW up to 1m4f in Britain, but off since struggling at Ascot in the summer; sire can get nice winners on this surface, but this horse faces a tough task on dirt debut.

4. (13) GO SOLDIER GO 6233-5

5yo ch h Tapiture - Better Again (Thunder Gulch) Fawzi Nass; Adrie de Vries COMMENT: Two 9.5f wins here two seasons ago including Listed race; in form in defeat this term; lacks early pace but stays well; chance if the leaders come back to him.

5. (9) NEVERSHOW WEAKNESS 1605-

5yo c g Lord Nelson - Ransomed Heart (Galileo) Buhpat Seemar; Andrew Slattery COMMENT: Landed a course hat-trick last season including two handicaps over this trip, but well beaten both starts this campaign.

6. (6) PRINC ROUZ 21/1-

6yo bb h Cherny Prince - Babura (Bor) Bhupat Seemar; Tadhg O’Shea COMMENT: 8-11 record on dirt in Russia including twice winning at local Group 1 level over 1m4f; off since last April, but has joined the champion trainer and goes in the colours of Meydan winning machine Tuz; take seriously.

7. (2) FIRST CONSTITUTION /086-5

7yo c g Constitution - Antic (Kitten's Joy) Julio Olascoaga; Ray Dawson COMMENT: Formerly smart; on the downgrade but didn’t run badly in C&D handicap latest (behind Violent Justice and Elyabri); refitted blinkers could eke out a bit more from him.

8. (10) LAHRESH 8213-3

5yo b h Iffraaj - Ya Hajar (Lycius) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Silvestre de Sousa COMMENT: Two-time 9.5f winner here including one this season; in career-best form and this trip is fine for him, so should be thereabouts again.

9. (12) FOREST FALCON 0/05/4

7yo b g Raven's Pass - Malmoosa (Shamardal) Salem bin Ghadayer; Bernardo Pinheiro COMMENT: Five-time winner up to this trip in Britain, where he was a pretty good handicapper; not straightforward (wears a hood, tongue-tie and earplugs), but ran a mighty race on return from a year off at Sharjah in January (took keen hold), finishing just behind Lahresh; has a tricky draw but the ability may still be there for him to take this.

10. (3) ELYABRI 0261-3

4yo b c American Pharoah - Responsibleforlove (Duke Of Marmalade) Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Richard Mullen COMMENT: Two course wins including one over this trip this season; solid third in C&D handicap behind Violent Justice latest (form boosted); should be involved again

11. (4) BOOK REVIEW 40046-

8yo c g Dubawi - Criticism (Machiavellian) Salem bin Ghadayer; Xavier Ziani COMMENT: Something of an all-or-nothing front-runner; four course handicap wins and has won elsewhere up to 2m; two-month pause suggests all hasn’t been well and bossing this field won’t be easy.

12. (1) VIOLENT JUSTICE 4037-1

6yo c g Violence - Swear By It (Broken Vow) Doug Watson; Sam Hitchcott COMMENT: Tricky sort; under pressure a long way out and matched at 1000 on Betfair before keeping on to win C&D handicap latest, helped by the leaders wilting; probably won’t make it easy for himself again.

13. (14) LION’S MANE 716141-

6yo b g Shamardal - Pleione (Saddler's Wells) A bin Harmash; Connor Beasley COMMENT: Off since a poor run here in November, which is a concern, but was earlier going the right way with two course wins; the latest success came on his reappearance, so can go well fresh, and he had four of these rivals behind including subsequent winners Lahresh, Violent Justice and Elyabri; widest draw no help, but of interest despite the negatives.

14. (11) AZAN 33-7

4yo b c Yoshida - Mama Nadine (A P Indy) Doug Watson; Myrzabek Kappushev COMMENT: Won local Group 1 in Russia in 2023 and might be better for recent UAE debut at Jebel Ali, when he finished down the field; stays well, so perhaps shouldn’t be discounted.

BETTING FORECAST: 5/1 Princ Rouz, 6/1 Lahresh, 8/1 Elyabri, Forest Falcon, Lion’s Mane, 9/1 Go Soldier Go, Mendelssohn Bay, New London, 10/1 Violent Justice, 12/1 Base Note, 16/1 First Constitution, 20/1 Azan, 25/1 Book Review, Nevershow Weakness

RON WOOD'S VIEW: Cases to be made for loads of these in an interesting race, but start by ignoring New London in the early markets, as while he may take to this track, he seems like be artificially short owing to his leading connections, who do most of their winning on turf. This will be the horse’s dirt debut and he’s up against a load of well-established locals. The same goes for Princ Rouz - he’s interesting, but he has to prove himself and he was surprisingly short when markets opened. The most tempting option is LION’S MANE. All can’t have been well with him, as he ran poorly on November 22 and has been off since. But his earlier win, from some of these rivals, is strong form in the context of this race and it came on his reappearance, showing that following a break can be a good time to catch him. Forest Falcon is second pick.

5:35 GMT - Vazirabad Handicap (Turf) 1m4f

1. (2) DHAHABI 4844-0

7yo b g Frankel - Fleche D'Or (Dubai Destination) Osama Refai; Sam Hitchcott COMMENT: Was smart for Charlie Appleby including C&D handicap win off his current mark in late 2023, and will appreciate return to turf after a spell on dirt; however, probably isn’t good enough now.

2. (4) GOYA SENORA 1262-6

9yo bb g Anodin - Nina Senora (My Risk) Y Barberot; Ben Coen COMMENT: Smart staying type in France and wasn’t beaten far in 1m6f Group 3 here latest, although that was a steadily run race and it’s doubtful he can defy his current mark.

3. (9) ROYAL POWER 1/323-

4yo b g Frankel - Soliloquy (Dubawi) Charlie Appleby - Mickael Barzalona COMMENT: Lightly raced; only third in C&D handicap on reappearance, but he’d been off for 161 days and the first two have won since, most notably the winner taking a Group 3; can probably build on that, although Buick prefers El Cordobes; hood removed.

5. (1) ENDLESS VICTORY 1591-3

4yo b g Teofilo - Waitress (Kingmambo) Charlie Appleby; Richard Mullen COMMENT: Was the mount of William Buick when third, just behind El Cordobes (now Buick’s mount; jockey might not have been able to do the weight that day), in 1m2f handicap here on reappearance; took keen hold and seemed to hit the front too soon; it’s questionable whether he can conserve enough energy for this new trip, but he’s a brother to connections’ 2m Dubai Gold Cup winner Cross Counter.

6. (11) WAFEI 120-11

4yo bb g American Pharoah - Flying (Galileo) A De Mieulle; James Doyle COMMENT: Won 1m1f Hamilton maiden for William Haggas last year; successful in both starts in Qatar but on dirt; 11lb higher than when last running on grass, although still has potential.

7. (8) MAX MAYHEM 64458-

7yo b g New Bay - Maybe Grace (Hawk Wing) Hilal Kobeissi; Dylan McMonagle COMMENT: Well weighted on the pick of his European form but plenty more needed than he managed over C&D latest.

8. (5) EL CORDOBES 6/17-2

4yo b g Frankel - Bald Lass (Sea The Stars) Charlie Appleby; William Buick COMMENT: Lightly raced; runner-up in 1m2f handicap here on recent return from 261-day absence; shaped then as though he’d come on for the run and be suited by this longer trip; Buick might not have been able to make the weight on him last time, but the horse was still well backed against Endless Victory who finished third under the stable jockey; now this runner is the mount of Buick from three choices for the yard.

9. (7) INTRICACY 41v5-0

5yo b g Dubawi - Golden Valentine (Dalakhani) Simon & Ed Crisford; Connor Beasley COMMENT: Looked good winning 1m2f handicap here last February, but behind Royal Power over C&D in December and struggled latest (1m2f); headgear refitted.

10. (10) ASSAIL /2411-

5yo c g No Nay Never - Pink Damsel (Galileo) David Simcock; Saffie Osbourne COMMENT: 3-6 record in Britain, winning 1m4f handicaps last two starts, but faces a tough task on first start since September.

11. (3) THUNDERING 0328-1

6yo b g Night Of Thunder - Cosmea (Compton Place) G Arizkorreta Elosegui; Silvestre de Sousa COMMENT: Bought for 18,000gns out of Kevin Ryan’s yard in October; successful debut for these connections in C&D handicap last month; now 7lb higher in a better race, but may have more to give and is still handily weighted on his best.

BETTING FORECAST: 11/10 El Cordobes, 4/1 Royal Power, 5/1 Endless Victory, 9/1 Wafei, 10/1 Thundering, 20/1 Assail, 25/1 Goya Senora, Intricacy, 33/1 Dhahabi, Max Mayhem

RON WOOD'S VIEW: A few of these are competitively weighted but Charlie Appleby has three runners, each of them still with their best days potentially ahead of them, and EL CORDOBES, the mount of William Buick, seems to have the strongest chance, preferred to Royal Power and Endless Victory.