Ron Wood on Meydan - 7 March

• Race 1 not covered (purebred Arabian race)
  

• Figures in BRACKETS before horse's name denote draw

RACE 2 (2.05 GMT) - AZIZI CREEK VIEWS (conditions, dirt)

1.  (11) NAM PHRIK 

12-480

3yo b c Hofburg - Breezy Hot (Put It Back) 

Trainer: Julio Olascoaga; Jockey: Jim Crowley 

COMMENT: Showed plenty of stamina in Uruguay and kept on after getting behind in 7f race on first go here, but hasn’t built on that in two subsequent starts including C&D Listed race latest.

⭐⭐

2.  (8)  ARLAN 

112-90

3yo b c American Freedom - Smoothover (Medaglia D’oro) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: Won 1m dirt local Group 1 in Kazakhstan last year; struggled in two 7f-1m starts here, but has had six weeks since the latest and he’s down from Group 3 and up in trip, so isn’t completely ruled out.

⭐⭐

3.  (5)  HIGH SEASON 

210-06

3yo b c New Bay - Dark Promise (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

COMMENT: Won 7f turf novice in Britain last year; has shown speed in two starts here, most recently when sixth in C&D Listed race (behind Poet Orten); going the right way and might have another step forward in him with the stable (champion) jockey taking over for the first time; down in class.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

4.  (3)  MOON BLADE 

810

3yo b c Central Banker - Adira (Quality Road) 

Trainer: Marwan Al Baidhaei; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Got up late to deny Poet Orten in 1m event here on second start; heavy defeat in C&D Listed race next time can be ignored seeing as the saddle slipped; should still have more to give.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5.  (12) NIMBLE BOY 

12-207

3yo dk b/br c Upstart - Funfortheholidays (Harlan’s Holiday) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Ex-Russian runner who hasn’t gone on from his second to the smart Golden Vekoma in 7f race here in January, finishing midfield in C&D Listed race latest (behind two of these rivals); now blinkered; stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea prefers High Season. ⭐⭐

6.  (9)  ALMONAADY 

9

3yo b c Hello Youmzain - Lucky Game (Montjeu) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Modest ability in tough 1m turf race here on debut; from a respected stable but isn’t bred for dirt.

⭐

7.  (4)  CHANNAGIDE 

449-6

3yo b c Divisidero - Always Tomorrow (Badge Of Silver) 

Trainer: Lucie Botti; Jockey: Sam Hitchcott 

COMMENT: Way more needed than on his first two starts out here, most recently well beaten in similar race over C&D (40-1).

⭐

8.  (2)  DIAMOND DEALER 

22-653

3yo ch c Lord Nelson - Catching Diamonds (Into Mischief) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Patrick Cosgrave 

COMMENT: Half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio; just modest so far, placed three times over 7f, twice around here; maybe this new trip will help.

⭐⭐⭐

9.  (10) MANEA 

95

3yo b c Gun Runner - Solar Surge (Bernardini) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Andrew Slattery 

COMMENT: Well bred; limited encouragement over 1m/7f here on first two starts, but maybe this trip will help.

⭐⭐

10. (6)  POET ORTEN 

434-25

3yo dk b c Zelzal - High Live (Dunkerque) 

Trainer: Ingrid Koplikova; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Fair ability in two starts on the dirt here, just being reeled in by Moon Blade in 1m race before fifth in C&D Listed (looked to be going okay when denied clear run in closing stages, but didn’t find a lot); should be involved.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

11. (13) POLITICAL TRUTH 

96

3yo gr c Liam’s Map - Partisan Politics (More Than Ready) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Struggled in two 1m/7f starts here but should have improvement in him.

⭐⭐

12. (7)  RAFID – NON RUNNER 

3yo b c Into Mischief - Rayya (Tiz Wonderful) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: n/a 

13. (1)  ROYAL FAVOUR 

2-239

3yo ch c Hard Spun - Cascanueces (Smart Strike) 

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford; Jockey: William Buick 

COMMENT: Ran poorly with no obvious excuse when 2-1 for C&D Listed race latest (beaten before stamina was an issue), but leading claims on two earlier placed efforts over 1m here, notably his third in the Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas; tongue-tie and visor added.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

14. (7)  VOCALIZER 

-

 3yo dk b/br c Maclean’s Music - Gentle Touch (Kitten’s Joy) 

 Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Xavier Ziani 

 COMMENT: $205,000 buy as a 2yo; runner-up in 5f trial here last month; the sole newcomer and it doesn’t bode well that he’s second string on jockeys behind the same connections’ Political Truth.

⭐

---

BETTING FORECAST: 7/4 Royal Favour, 9/2 Poet Orten, 6/1 High Season, 9/1 Diamond Dealer, Moon Blade, 12/1 Nimble Boy, 16/1 Arlan, Nam Phrik, 20/1 Manea, 25/1 Almonaady, Channagide, Political Truth, 33/1 Vocalizer

RON WOOD’S VIEW: Royal Favour sets a useful standard but must bounce back from a dismal run in a C&D Listed race latest. It feels like there’s more still to come from High Season for the champion jockey and trainer combination, but MOON BLADE shouldn’t be written off following a heavy defeat last time. He had the excuse of his saddle slipping, and he’d earlier stayed on to win over 1m here, reeling in Poet Orten (third-placed Galactic Star won in Listed company next time; race featuring the likes of Royal Favour, Moon Blade and Poet Orten). Moon Blade cost $140,000 last year and is a May foal, so he ought to have more to offer.

---

RACE 3 (2:50 GMT) - AZIZI WASL (handicap, turf)

1.  (15) DEVOIRS CHOICE 

26111- 

4yo b g Ten Sovereigns - Tracing (Galileo) 

 Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Patrick Cosgrave 

 COMMENT: Won last three starts in 1m turf/AW Class 4 handicaps for Ed Walker in Britain; this extra furlong is no issue, but he’s been off since October, he’s drawn wide and stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea instead rides Sense Of Wisdom.

⭐⭐

2.  (1)  NATURAL WORLD 

8/86-3

6yo b g Frankel - Skiffle (Dubawi) 

Trainer: Mohamed Ibrahim; Jockey: Qais Al Busaidi 

COMMENT: Back-to-form 50-1 third in 1m2f turf handicap here latest; down in trip but player if in the same form from ground-saving draw.

⭐⭐⭐

3.  (16) REBAATT 

18-080

4yo b g Dark Angel - Azwah (Invincible Spirit) 

Trainer: Michael Costa; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Headstrong; more needed than when well beaten over C&D latest (took keen hold) and wide draw won’t help, but is down in class and blinkers are replaced by a hood. ⭐⭐⭐

4.  (10) TAFREEJ 

/9-093

5yo b g Shamardal - Taqaareed (Sea The Stars) 

Trainer: Ali Al Badwawi; Jockey: Jim Crowley 

COMMENT: Back-to-form third with visor added in 1m handicap here latest (made sluggish start); that race is working out well and this longer trip may help him seeing as the dam won over 1m4f; player.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5.  (14) LION’S MANE 

1614-0

6yo b g Shamardal - Pleione (Sadler’s Wells) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Saif Al Balushi 

COMMENT: Won on turf when trained in France and has since won twice on dirt here; however, was missing for 77 days before poor run latest; doesn’t appeal now back on grass from wide draw; Connor Beasley prefers same connections’ Cosmic Desert.

⭐⭐

6.  (7)  SENSE OF WISDOM 

/50-55

6yo b g Shamardal - Tajriba (Teofilo) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

COMMENT: Lightly raced; hasn’t had a clear run in 9.5f/1m2f handicaps here on last two starts, beaten only around a length both times (behind two of these rivals latest); ought to be involved; cheekpieces added.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

7.  (5)  DECIDUOUS 

66-538

6yo b g Dubawi - Black Cherry (Mount Nelson) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: In reasonable form over further but all three wins, including one here, have come over 1m4f.

⭐⭐

8.  (9)  COSMIC DESERT 

75-344

6yo b g New Approach - Blossomtime (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Closely matched with some of these rivals on recent close fourth in messy 1m2f handicap here; this drop back in trip might not be ideal but he could be thereabouts again. ⭐⭐⭐

9.  (11) DESERT SNAKE 

16-860

5yo b g Anodin - Little Illusion (Dansili) 

Trainer: Julio Olascoaga; Jockey: Jules Mobian 

COMMENT: Heavy defeat on dirt latest can be ignored, but Abu Dhabi win in November came over 1m3f; this looks too short a trip for him; blinkers replace hood.

⭐⭐

10. (13) POSTER PAINT 

578-46

6yo b g Postponed - Colour Play (Medaglia D’oro) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Sandro Paiva 

COMMENT: Won this race from the front last year (stall 6) and hasn’t been beaten far on last two starts, but wide draw won’t help.

⭐⭐

11. (6)  SHEPPERTON LODGE 

47-31

4yo ch c Lope De Vega - Saltanat (Duke Of Marmalade) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Lightly raced; third behind two decent subsequent winners in Abu Dhabi maiden (turf) before winning Jebel Ali maiden (dirt); those starts were over 1m but this trip is no problem; still looks like having more to give.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

12. (8)  LEGEND OF CANNES 

006-10

5yo b g Cairo Prince - Goodness Gray (Pulpit) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Ben Coen 

COMMENT: Patchy record; won 9.5f handicap here in January, disappointing next time; chance on a good day.

⭐⭐⭐

13. (3)  ERUPTIVE 

315-81

5yo b g Kitten’s Joy - Hills Of Beverly (Ghostzapper) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Two wins over 1m elsewhere this season, most recently a minor handicap on turf at Abu Dhabi; this demands more but he’s going the right way and has a handy draw.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

14. (4)  NEW MISSION 

127/0/

6yo b g Dubawi - Soon (Galileo) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: Fair form in Britain in 2021; sidelined for over a year before being tailed off at Jebel Ali in December 2022 and absent again since; major player if suddenly bouncing back for new stable, although trainer operating at only around 6% this season.

⭐⭐

15. (12) AJWAD 

/908-0

12yo b h Rock Of Gibraltar - Afrodita (Montjeu) 

Trainer: Rashed Bouresly; Jockey: Gokhan Yildiz 

COMMENT: Three wins up to 1m2f here in 2019, but held since; well beaten on reappearance in January; old-stager who won’t be winning this.

⭐

16. (2)  CAPLA CRUSADER 

9147-6

9yo b g Archipenko - Desert Berry (Green Desert) 

Trainer: Rashed Bouresly; Jockey: Marcelino Rodrigues 

COMMENT: Both UAE wins gained at Jebel Ali; runner-up on only two starts on turf here; well held at Jebel Ali on reappearance just the other day; might be better for that run and there is a case for him from low draw, but his best days are probably confined to the past.

⭐⭐

Reserve.  SHAMRAN  NON-RUNNER

417-00

4yo b c Kingman - Floret (Galileo) 

Trainer: Guillermo Arizkorreta; Jockey: Vaclav Janacek 

COMMENT: Reserve; won 1m turf novice in Britain last summer but well beaten both goes here this season.

Reserve.  HONEST DESIRE   NON-RUNNER

09-055

4yo b g Frankel - Umniyah (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Andrew Slattery 

COMMENT: Reserve; sole win gained in 6f AW event in Britain in 2023; has run creditably in 1m handicaps here on last two starts, especially as he had wide trip latest, but stamina a concern.

Reserve.  SUDDEN AMBUSH   NON-RUNNER

7-5607

5yo b h Cracksman - Al Mahmeyah (Teofilo) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Reserve; sole win gained in 6f AW event in Britain in 2023; has run creditably in 1m handicaps here on last two starts, especially as he had wide trip latest, but stamina a concern.

Reserve.  BERKSHIRE NUGGET   NON-RUNNER

880-20

4yo b g Expert Eye - Dubai Discovery (Hard Spun) 

Trainer: Lucie Botti; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Reserve; 33-1 second in 9.5f handicap here two starts back, but poor run in added hood (now removed) latest.

---

BETTING FORECAST: 4/1 Tafreej, 5/1 Shepperton Lodge, 6/1 Sense Of Wisdom, 7/1 Eruptive, 8/1 Natural World, 10/1 Cosmic Desert, Devoirs Choice, 14/1 Legend Of Cannes, 16/1 Poster Paint, Rebaatt, 20/1 Deciduous, New Mission, 25/1 Capla Crusader, Desert Snake, Lion’s Mane, 50/1 Ajwad

RON WOOD’S VIEW: This can go to TAFREEJ, who was third in a stronger race than this over 1m here last time and who ought to be suited by the extra furlong. The unexposed Eruptive is second pick.

---

RACE 4 (3.25 GMT) - AZIZI VENICE (conditions, dirt)

1.  (5)  MILITARY LAW 

2/610-

10yo b g Dubawi - Marine Bleue (Desert Prince) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Won C&D Group 2 in 2021 and was still good enough to land 9.5f Group 2 last season, but reportedly lame when tailed off in the Dubai World Cup in March; absent since; doesn’t appeal.

⭐⭐

2.  (3)  EVERFAST 

373-86

9yo b g Take Charge Indy - Awesome Surprise (Awesome Again) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: C&D winner who used to be smart; on the downgrade these days, but should appreciate return to the conditions after a few runs elsewhere.

⭐⭐⭐

3.  (10) FIRST CONSTITUTION - NON-RUNNER

7yo ch g Constitution - Antic (Kitten’s Joy) 

Trainer: Okbah Aashour; Jockey: Royston Ffrench 

4.  (1)  FOREST FALCON 

05/498

7yo b g Raven’s Pass - Malmoosa (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Not straightforward; made an encouraging comeback at Sharjah in January but hasn’t built on that in two starts since; hood removed.

⭐⭐

5.  (8)  LOCAL DYNASTY 

53-256

5yo b g Dubawi - Really Special (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford; Jockey: William Buick 

COMMENT: Four creditable runs in defeat on dirt here this season, most recently sixth in C&D Group 3 last week; blew the start then but still had his chance; leading claims on figures now dropped in class.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

6.  (7)  MAGADAN 

/0/1/9

9yo b g Soldier Hollow - Meransa (Fusaichi Pegasus) 

Trainer: Okbah Aashour; Jockey: Jose Santiago 

COMMENT: Lightly raced; two wins around this trip on turf in Germany; missed 2024; held in 6f Abu Dhabi turf race on recent comeback; this lowly rated runner faces a tough task on dirt debut.

⭐

7.  (6)  MAGIC PETITION 

42-534

5yo ch g Good Magic - Petition The Lady (Petionville) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Sole win gained over 6f here; barely gets 7f and faded to 11l fourth over C&D latest, albeit in a race that has worked out well, so it’s hard to see why they’re persisting over this trip.

⭐⭐

8.  (4)  QUALITY HUMOR 

0544-9

6yo ch g Distorted Humor - Candrea (Trippi) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Saif Al Balushi 

COMMENT: Has run some useful races in defeat over C&D but below form this term, has been off for two months and stable first jockey Connor Beasley is on Magic Petition.

⭐⭐

9.  (2)  SALEYMM 

12/3/4

7yo b g Dubawi - Talmada (Cape Cross) 

Trainer: Michael Costa; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Saleymm - Formerly trained in Britain where he won up to 8.6f; two starts in UAE; off for over a year before promising third in 6f dirt Listed race here in December 2023; missed 2024, but showed up well in good 7f turf handicap on recent comeback when he “really needed the run” according to his trainer; should go well.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. (9)  THE CAMDEN COLT 

230-22

4yo ch g Footstepsinthesand - Venus De Medici (Duke Of Marmalade) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

COMMENT: Runner-up in 7f-1m turf handicaps on first two UAE starts, but probably needs a career best now trying dirt and he’s not bred for it.

⭐⭐

---

BETTING FORECAST: 7/4 Saleymm, 5/2 Local Dynasty, 6/1 Military Law, 8/1 Everfast, 10/1 The Camden Colt, 12/1 Magic Petition, 16/1 Forest Falcon, Quality Humor, 66/1 Magadan

RON WOOD’S VIEW: This can go to SALEYMM. He hasn’t stood much racing in recent years, but his one dirt run was promising and he showed up well on his recent comeback. They were 6f-7f races, but he won over 8.6f in Britain and his speed should be an asset in this company. None of his rivals convince and he should be too fast for them. Local Dynasty is the second choice.

---

RACE 5 (4:00 GMT) - RAS AL KHOR (Group 3, turf)

1.  (2)  MARBAAN 

5002-1

5yo b h Oasis Dream - Zahoo (Nayef) 

Trainer: Michael Costa; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Had race-fitness edge on Mysterious Night when 1l winner over that rival in C&D Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort in January; now 3lb worse off.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

2.  (8)  AL SALT 

048-42

8yo b g Mukhadram - Estedaama (Marju) 

Trainer: Ali Al Badwawi; Jockey: Patrick Cosgrave 

COMMENT: Has won over C&D and finished 66-1 second in handicap under these conditions latest, but won’t be good enough for this if the main players show up.

⭐

3.  (9)  ANDREAS VESALIUS 

17-249

6yo gr g Caravaggio - Vitello (Raven’s Pass) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Limitations were exposed when fourth behind Marbaan (and Mysterious Night) in C&D Group 2 two starts back.

⭐

4.  (7)  DOLAYLI 

75-899

6yo b g Siyouni - Dolniya (Azamour) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Smart over further in France, but has been well below his best in UAE this season.

⭐

5.  (10) ECHO POINT 

515-15

7yo ch g Dubawi - Yodelling (Medaglia D’oro) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: 66-1 third in messy running of this race last year; won C&D handicap from Andreas Vesalius in January, when conceding 3lb to that rival, but had dream trip from gate 1 then whereas now he’s in 10; 6f was too short latest; a place is probably the best he can hope for again.

⭐⭐

6.  (3)  GIUSTINO 

111-96

3yo ch c Full Mast - Ginga (Pure Prize) 

Trainer: Julio Olascoaga; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: Won 1m dirt Group 1 in Argentina last year but more recently has struggled in two dirt starts here and in Saudi Arabia; unappealing.

⭐

7.  (6)  KHANJAR 

722-61

6yo b g Kodiac - Naafer (Oasis Dream) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Jim Crowley 

COMMENT: Smart turf winner in Britain and won 7f dirt handicap here latest; this probably requires a career best, but he may have more to give now back on grass, so has an outside shout.

⭐⭐⭐

8.  (4)  KUBRICK 

16653-

5yo b c Dubawi - Rosa Bonheur (Mr Greeley) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Smart in France (1m Group 3 winner as a 2yo) and more recently in the US (minor winner over 1m last year); sold for $180,000 in November; down in trip for UAE debut; surprise if he’s fast enough.

⭐⭐

9.  (1)  MYSTERIOUS NIGHT 

1102-2

5yo b g Dark Angel - Mistrusting (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Charlie Appleby; Jockey: William Buick 

COMMENT: Two C&D wins last year including Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort; 1l second to Marbaan in the same Group 2 this time around, but he usually needs a run to get fit and he’d been off for 230 days, so that was promising; now 3lb better off with the winner and Charlie Appleby sounds confident, saying “I feel that our horse will be the one to beat if he brings his A game”.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. (5)  SILENT DEFENSE 

6-9430

5yo b h National Defense - Dancing D Queen (Casamento) 

Trainer: Rashed Bouresly; Jockey: Jules Mobian 

COMMENT: Useful sort but just making up the numbers in this company.

⭐

---

BETTING FORECAST: 4/5 Mysterious Night, 7/4 Marbaan, 10/1 Khanjar, 16/1 Kubrick, 25/1 Echo Point, 33/1 Al Salt, Giustino, 50/1 Andreas Vesalius, Dolayli, 100/1 Silent Defense

RON WOOD’S VIEW: January’s C&D Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort is the race to concentrate on. Marbaan was a length too good for MYSTERIOUS NIGHT but the winner had a race-fitness edge and the runner-up is now 3lb better off. Mysterious Night is superior to Marbaan on his best and is a confident pick to turn the form around.

---

RACE 6 (4:35 GMT) - AZIZI MINA (handicap, dirt)

1. (7) PEN PORTRAIT 

01-692

4yo ch g Night Of Thunder - Beautiful Memory (Invincible Spirit) 

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Won 6f Sharjah handicap in December and back-to-form second from wide draw in 6f handicap here latest; stamina to prove.

⭐⭐⭐

2. (8) WELCOME DREAM 

531-V0

4yo ch g Night Of Thunder - Royal Rose (Exceed And Excel) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: Front-running win from stall 1 in 6f handicap here in December; ran poorly when unable to dominate in C&D handicap latest (15-8 favourite but that was a bizarrely short price on form); can probably come back to some form now.

⭐⭐⭐ 

3. (11) ROAD BLOC 

083-98

7yo b g Street Sense - Jan’s Perfect Star (Imperialism) 

Trainer: Osama Refai; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Has won over C&D but he’s on the downgrade and has a wide draw.

⭐⭐

4. (2) SUNNY STREET 

66-2V2

4yo b g Exceed And Excel - Sunset Avenue (Street Cry) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Xavier Ziani 

COMMENT: Runner-up in 7f Jebel Ali handicap on UAE debut in January, but ran poorly there latest (1m); cheekpieces added.

⭐⭐ 

5. (5) AL ARBED 

6-7564

5yo gr g Dark Angel - Apphia (High Chaparral) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Sole win gained in 6f turf maiden here last January; creditable run in 6f dirt race here latest (behind Pen Portrait), but more needed.

⭐⭐

6. (1) ACTION POINT 

-96007

4yo b g Blue Point - Khaleesi Wind (Exceed And Excel) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Has struggled since switching to UAE this season but didn’t run badly over 6f here latest, albeit behind some of these rivals, and now drawn 1.

⭐⭐

7. (6) GAMEKEEPER 

2-4V09

4yo b c Blue Point - Gamilati (Bernardini) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT:Twice first past the post in 7f-1m handicaps here this season (one of those was voided due to a stalls issue; four rivals pulled up); struggled more recently, but had a tough draw in a better race than this latest; bounce-back potential.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

8. (12) BARQ AL EMARAT 

082-15

6yo b g Mehmas - Green Briar (Compton Place) 

Trainer: Ismail Mohammed; Jockey: Sandro Paiva 

COMMENT: Two 6f-7f wins here including handicap over the shorter trip two starts back; behind two of these over 6f here latest but did well considering he got behind with a slow and troubled beginning; still has more to give, although the widest draw is a problem.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

9. (4) LENORMAND 

1/3/00

5yo b g Dubawi - Baisse (High Chaparral) 

Trainer: Osama Refai; Jockey: Andrew Slattery 

 COMMENT: Ex-Charlie Appleby; lightly raced; well beaten in two turf handicaps since back from a long absence this year; by a good sire for this switch to dirt, but doesn’t appeal; blinkers added.

⭐⭐

10. (10) LAGUNA BOY 

4160-0

4yo ch g Sioux Nation - Mary McPhee (Makfi) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

 COMMENT: Lightly raced; won 7f AW handicap in Britain last year; well beaten in 5f turf handicap here on recent UAE debut, but may be better for that run and this switch to dirt is worth a try; goes for the champion jockey and trainer combination.

⭐⭐⭐

11. (3) DARK SILVER 

245/00 

8yo b g Dark Angel - Silver Shoon (Fasliyev) 

 Trainer: Khalifa Al Neyadi; Jockey: Allaia Tiar 

 COMMENT: These conditions would be fine for him on his old form, but absent for 1450 days before struggling in two 1m4f/1m turf races this season; blinkers off; hard to fancy.

⭐

12. (9) ALSAHIB   NON-RUNNER

177-00

 5yo b g Mastery - Fast Tigress (Hold That Tiger) 

 Trainer: Qaiss Aboud; Jockey: Jesus Rosales 

 COMMENT: Somehow managed to win 6f Sharjah handicap in October on reappearance, but has struggled badly since.

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BETTING FORECAST: 2/1 Pen Portrait, 5/1 Barq Al Emarat, Welcome Dream, 8/1 Gamekeeper, 9/1 Laguna Boy, 10/1 Action Point, Al Arbed, 14/1 Road Bloc, Sunny Street, 33/1 Lenormand, 50/1 Alsahib, Dark Silver

RON WOOD’S VIEW: Maybe GAMEKEEPER can come back to form. This is a drop in class - it’s not a strong race - and he has a kinder draw than last time. Barq Al Emarat is the second pick, but he has a tough draw.

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RACE 7 (5:10 GMT) - BURJ AZIZI (handicap, turf)

1.  (1)  AL MADHAR 

43/9-6

8yo b g Siyouni - Phiz (Galileo) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Reached smart level over further but has stood little racing in recent times and was well held in 1m4f Group 2 on latest comeback just last week.

⭐

2.  (3)  ALFAREEQ 

75-036

8yo gr g Dark Angel - Urjuwaan (Cape Cross) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Jim Crowley 

COMMENT: Won 1m1f Group 1 Jebel Hatta here in 2022 and 2023, but not the same force now; well beaten in this season’s Jebel Hatta; needs to rediscover some smart form to defy current mark.

⭐⭐

3.  (10) MAGNUM OPUS 

2-0351

4yo b g Invincible Spirit - Menuetto (Dubawi) 

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford; Jockey: William Buick 

COMMENT: Narrowly won 1m1f handicap here latest, being dropped out from wide draw and covering less ground than runner-up Folk Festival; this shorter trip is okay for him, but will need everything to drop right again to cope with 6lb rise.

⭐⭐⭐

4.  (14) GHALY 

1/7-09

9yo ch g Dubawi - Hanky Panky (Galileo) 

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey: Ben Coen 

COMMENT: Was smart handicapper in Britain but limited encouragement in three 7f-1m1f handicaps here since back from an absence this winter; drawn wide.

⭐⭐

5.  (8)  LANEQASH 

743-80

7yo b g Cable Bay - Bonhomie (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Patrick Cosgrave 

COMMENT: On the downgrade, but 1m1f was probably too far for him here on last two starts.

⭐⭐

6.  (16) FOLK FESTIVAL 

112

4yo b g Blue Point - Siamsaiocht (Teofilo) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Promising; won first two starts, notably quickening from well back to overcome gate 15 in C&D handicap, denying No Retreat; just held by Magnum Opus in 1m1f handicap here latest having covered more ground than that rival; has more to give, but has another horrible draw. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

7.  (9)  MOSTABSHIR 

4047-0

5yo gr g Dark Angel - Handassa (Dubawi) 

Trainer: Ali Al Badwawi; Jockey: Royston Ffrench 

COMMENT: Smart for the Gosdens in Britain; well beaten on dirt at Jebel Ali on recent UAE debut; may do better now and is well handicapped on his best, but doesn’t convince. ⭐⭐

8.  (4)  TAMRAT 

42-615

4yo b g Invincible Spirit - Hazel Bay (Iffraaj) 

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Won 1m Abu Dhabi handicap two starts ago but behind some of these rivals over 1m1f here latest.

⭐⭐

9.  (11) NO RETREAT 

22-221

4yo b c Siyouni - Isabel De Urbina (Lope De Vega) 

Trainer: Fawzi Nass; Jockey: Patrick Dobbs 

COMMENT: Was proving frustrating, including twice finishing runner-up to Folk Festival in 1m races, before winning 7f handicap here, doing well to get there in time given he raced off the pace from a wide draw; shaped then as though he’d have no problem going back up in trip; should be thereabouts again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. (15) STRAIGHT AND LEVEL 

23-424

5yo b g Kantharos - Fly Swift (City Zip) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

COMMENT: Honest type who has run well in defeat in four dirt/turf starts here since switching from the US; this cut back in trip may be in his favour after he raced freely in front over 1m1f latest (faded behind Magnum Opus and Folk Festival), but wide draw no help. ⭐⭐

11. (7)  ARAGON CASTLE 

1561-0

4yo ch g Territories - Wearing Wings (Sea The Stars) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Andrew Slattery 

COMMENT: Useful handicapper in Britain, but ran poorly at Abu Dhabi on recent UAE debut; cheekpieces added and tongue-tie refitted.

⭐

12. (13) WANEES 

52-653

6yo b g Le Havre - Waldnah (New Approach) 

Trainer: Doug Watson; Jockey: Sam Hitchcott 

COMMENT: These conditions are fine for him and he’s been running creditably in defeat this term, but he has a wide draw and probably doesn’t have as much in hand at the weights as some.

⭐⭐

13. (5)  RUSSIPANT FAL 

826-00

6yo b h Russian Cross - Pantherii (Forest Wildcat) 

Trainer: Nicolas Caullery; Jockey: Jules Mobian 

COMMENT: Smart, regular winner in France; well beaten in two 1m2f/1m1f handicaps here this year, but didn’t have room to challenge latest and has quickly dropped a long way in the weights; could do better.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

14. (6)  DELOREAN 

38-130

6yo b g Time Test - Dawn Of Empire (Empire Maker) 

Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Won 9.5f handicap here in January but behind Tamrat at Abu Dhabi (1m) next time and struggled back at this venue latest.

⭐⭐

15. (2)  PADISHAKH 

096-50

5yo dk b g Wootton Bassett - Penny Lane (Lord Of England) 

Trainer: David O'Meara; Jockey: Sandro Paiva 

COMMENT: Well weighted on British form over this trip; didn’t run badly in 1m2f handicap here on reappearance considering he got too far back from a wide draw; no impression in 1m1f handicap behind some of these rivals next time, but isn’t ruled out now back down in trip again from handy draw.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

16. (12) SILVER SWORD 

2-8540

5yo gr g Charm Spirit - Aurora Gray (Rip Van Winkle) 

Trainer: Dylan Cunha; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Was running okay in defeat over further here before poor run latest, although he lost a shoe then and apparently has sensitive feet; all three of his wins have come over 1m, so this cut back in trip should help.

⭐⭐⭐

MOVIE MAKER  (RESERVE)   NON-RUNNER

10-797

4yo gr g Invincible Spirit - Isabella Linton (New Approach) 

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey: TBD 

COMMENT: Two 6f-7f heavy-ground wins in Britain; yet to show best in UAE, but this drop back from 1m1f should help.

ELJENOB (RESERVE)  NON-RUNNER

5432-6

6yo b g Dabirsim - Mambomiss (Mastercraftsman) 

Trainer: Michael Costa; Jockey: TBD 

COMMENT: Behind four of these rivals in 1m1f handicap here latest, but didn’t get clear run and that was first start in 76 days.

BATWAN (RESERVE)   NON-RUNNER

08-780

10yo gr g Kendargent - Matwan (Indian Rocket) 

Trainer: Nicolas Caullery; Jockey: TBD 

COMMENT: Formerly smart sprinter who is on the downgrade; did win over 1m in France in 2018, but this trip probably isn’t the answer.

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BETTING FORECAST: 9/4 No Retreat, 7/2 Folk Festival, 6/1 Magnum Opus, 14/1 Tamrat, 16/1 Alfareeq, Delorean, Ghaly, Padishakh, Silver Sword, 20/1 Laneqash, Mostabshir, Russipant Fal, Straight And Level, 25/1 Al Madhar, Aragon Castle, Wanees

RON WOOD’S VIEW: Folk Festival overcame a wide draw to deny NO RETREAT in a C&D handicap last month but, while he remains promising, he’ll do well to repeat the trick. He was most recently just held by Magnum Opus when having a wide trip. No Retreat is himself still progressing, most recently doing well to get up over 7f from a wide draw, and he’s taken to come out on top this time. Padishakh and Russipant Fal may also be worth a look.

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RACE 8 (5:25 GMT) - AZIZI RIVIERA (handicap, turf)

1.  (5)  ENCHANTED LIFE 

198-87

4yo b f Kodiac - Shobobb (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Xavier Ziani 

COMMENT: Hadn’t been in a suitable race in the UAE until midfield in 5f handicap here latest (behind Matloob); could build on that, with this extra furlong probably preferable (won up to 7f in Britain); chance, even if Bernardo Pinheiro prefers Desert Safari.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

2.  (12) MATLOOB 

/39-73

4yo gr g Dark Angel - Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) 

Trainer: Michael Costa; Jockey: Ray Dawson 

COMMENT: Back-to-form third in 5f handicap here latest and may build on that over the extra furlong (has form up to 7f); gets a headgear switch.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3.  (8)  EL BOSNIA 

112-02

8yo b g Caradak - Ebalviyra (Anabaa) 

Trainer: Guillermo Arizkorreta; Jockey: Vaclav Janacek 

COMMENT: Two 7f wins in France last year; most recently runner-up in weak 1m handicap here; also has form over this trip; chance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

4.  (2)  HARVEST GOLD 

/61-60

7yo br g Golden Horn - Silk Words (Dubawi) 

Trainer: Elise Jeanne; Jockey: Alexandre Da Silva 

COMMENT: Placed over C&D five times but tailed off under these conditions after troubled start latest (endoscopic exam revealed a degree of EIPH which may have affected performance).

⭐

5.  (16) DESERT SAFARI 

609-86

8yo b g Slade Power - Risen Sun (Shamardal) 

Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer; Jockey: Bernardo Pinheiro 

COMMENT: Has to do more than when midfield in similar races on last two starts.

⭐

6.  (11) NASTASE 

59/0/0

7yo b g Sixties Icon - Rough Courte (Pivotal) 

Trainer: Rashed Bouresly; Jockey: Marcelino Rodrigues 

COMMENT: Last win came in 6f Listed race in Britain in 2020; missed 2024; well beaten in 1m dirt race here on recent comeback.

⭐

7.  (6)  MYTHICAL DANCER 

00/8-0

6yo b g Shamardal - La Arenosa (Exceed And Excel) 

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar; Jockey: Lorenzo Putzulu 

COMMENT: - Lightly raced; showed speed from wide draw, before fading badly, in 1m handicap here latest; that was first start in 77 days, and maybe this drop in trip will help, but doesn’t shape like about to win.

⭐⭐

8.  (14) FEERAAS 

561-34

3yo ch g Earthlight - Imtiyaaz (Starspangledbanner) 

Trainer: Salman Al Sabri; Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea 

COMMENT: Minor 7f turf win in Britain last year; more recently fourth in 3yo conditions race over C&D; career best needed to defy this mark against older rivals.

⭐⭐

9.  (10) JAARIM 

/0/0/0

9yo b h Distorted Humor - Cherokee Jewel (Cherokee Run) 

Trainer: Okbah Aashour; Jockey: Jose Santiago 

COMMENT: Won 7f turf maiden here in 2019; just three 5f-1m dirt starts since then and well beaten each time; likely best ignored.

⭐

10. (15) KHAMSIN 

53-803

4yo dk b g Flatter - Street Love (Street Boss) 

Trainer: Salman Al Sabri; Jockey: Khalid Al Balushi 

COMMENT: Maiden; usually races on dirt; creditable run latest (dirt), but probably not up to this.

⭐⭐

11. (13) SKY HAWK 

122-00

4yo b g Advertise - Regal Hawk (Singspiel) 

Trainer: Guillermo Arizkorreta; Jockey: Connor Beasley 

COMMENT: Two wins in Spain last year including over this trip but not offered much here, including over 5f up this straight track two starts back when he bled from the nose.

⭐

12. (4)  MILITARY ORDER 

5-284

3yo gr c Volatile - Prisoner’s Dilemma (Blame) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa 

COMMENT: Maiden; all four starts have come in dirt sprints, showing modest ability; harshly weighted on what he’s achieved, so switching to turf needs to do the trick; breeding offers minor encouragement; visor off.

⭐⭐

13. (3)  ROYALCORRESPONDENT 

/043-0

4yo b g Blue Point - Contrary (Mark Of Esteem) 

Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri; Jockey: Daniel Tudhope 

COMMENT: Maiden; fair ability on turf in Ireland; well beaten in sole UAE start, but that came on dirt following a 256-day absence (suffered superficial wounds to his left legs); could be competitive now.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

14. TAJDIF  (NON-RUNNER)

5yo b g Invincible Spirit - Safeenah (Oasis Dream) 

Trainer: Maitha Alsuwaidi; Jockey: n/a 

COMMENT:

15. (9)  AL HADEER 

65/6-5

9yo b g War Front - Storybook (Halling) 

Trainer: John Hyde; Jockey: Jim Crowley 

COMMENT: Both wins gained in dirt sprints; fine on turf; needs to do more than at Abu Dhabi last week (behind Hobalsalam), but that came after 13 months off, the race didn’t go smoothly for him and yet he did make a reasonable middle move; one to consider.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

16. (7)  BLEWBURTON 

37-509

3yo ch g Saxon Warrior - Olga Da Polga (Casamento) 

Trainer: Lucie Botti; Jockey: Andrew Slattery 

COMMENT: Has to do more than he managed behind some of these rivals up this straight track last time.

⭐

17.  (1) HOBALSALAM 

30-784

4yo dk b g Mitole - Hidden Reward (Graydar) 

Trainer: Mohammad Mardood; Jockey: Royston Ffrench 

COMMENT: Lightly raced maiden; only two goes on turf; midfield in 5f handicap here, then did okay for fourth in 6f Abu Dhabi handicap after getting behind with troubled start; might do better.

⭐⭐⭐

Reserve.  STATE EVENT   NON-RUNNER

9800-7

6yo br g Shamardal - Blue Bunting (Dynaformer) 

Trainer: Mohamed Ibrahim; Jockey: TBD 

COMMENT: Modest maiden who hasn’t shown enough to be of interest.

---

BETTING FORECAST: 9/4 Matloob, 9/2 El Bosnia, 9/1 Hobalsalam, 10/1 Feeraas, Military Order, Royalcorrespondent, 12/1 Enchanted Life, 14/1 Al Hadeer, 16/1 Desert Safari, Khamsin, 20/1 Harvest Gold, Sky Hawk, 25/1 Mythical Dancer, Nastase, 33/1 Blewburton, 66/1 Jaarim

RON WOOD’S VIEW: The obvious one is MATLOOB after his recent third up this straight track. He shouldn’t mind the extra furlong, seeing as he was a close third over 7f (on dirt) earlier in the campaign. El Bosnia is second pick and Enchanted Life, Royalcorrespondent and Al Hadeer make minor appeal as well.

---