UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

Kerless Del Roc and Rb Rich Lyke Me are the ones to beat on form but they both like to dominate and wide draws have to be a concern for them. With that in mind, a chance can be taken with DERYAN, who caught the eye when third to Kerless Del Roc in the Madjani Stakes here in November. He clearly needed the run on that occasion and is likely to step forward significantly, while the race may be run to suit the eight-year-old as there will be plenty of early pace to chase.
Prediction : 1st Deryan 2nd Kerless Del Roc 3rd Rb Rich Lyke Me

It is hard to oppose WALK OF STARS for the top-class Charlie Appleby/William Buick combination on his handicap bow. The son of Dubawi was not at his very best in the Great Voltigeur last time but he was only a neck behind Deauville Legend in the Bahrain Trophy prior to that. Based on that evidence, the four-year-old could be hard to stop off a mark of 107. First Ruler may be the biggest threat to this stablemate having proved himself to be a useful handicapper in the UK last season and the lightly-raced relation to Ghaiyyath remains unexposed. Dhahabi has to be of some interest having won his only start over 1m4f, while Marching Army and Global Heat also have valid form claims. Outside of the Godolphin representatives, Valyrian Steel should not be underestimated following an encouraging return to action over an inadequate 1m2f here last month.
Prediction : 1st Walk Of Stars 2nd First Ruler 3rd Dhahabi

Switzerland is the obvious starting point in this contest following his victory in the Golden Shaheen over C&D last season and he has won on his last two seasonal returns. That said, stall one may not prove to be ideal and he's not getting any younger. With that in mind, preference is for GLADIATOR KING, who has to be of some interest on his first start for Doug Watson. The seven-year-old was the best local dirt sprinter in 2020, winning this race and the Al Shindagha before an encouraging effort in Riyadh, but has not quite matched that form subsequently. That said, he only found Switzerland too good on his seasonal return 12 months ago and it would be no surprise if his handler got him back to his best. Mouheeb has taken a big step forward since Michael Costa took over at Jebel Ali Stables and it is hard to see the recent Al Garhoud Sprint winner not featuring, while Mubakker and Canvassed have each-way claims.
Prediction : 1st Gladiator King 2nd Mouheeb 3rd Switzerland

In a wide-open event marginal preference is for BAY OF PLENTY, who sets the standard based on his fourth-placed finish in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown in October. That was his first start over 7f and, while he may want further than this time, the son of New Bay should be good enough to make his mark here. Courageous Knight has to be respected given his connections and the fact that William Buick has chosen him over the promising Highbank. That said, his UK nursery form from last season is not overly strong. Long Kiss has to give weight to all of his rivals being a southern hemisphere three-year-old but he has shown promise on the dirt here recently and should not be discounted. Cosmic Kid has the highest rating of these and it will be interesting to see how the Turkish form stands up.
Prediction : 1st Bay Of Plenty 2nd Long Kiss 3rd Courageous Knight

A case can be made for most of these but the vote goes to SECRET AMBITION, who could dominate this field from stall two. The veteran made all to win the Godolphin Mile here in March 2021 and he only found Golden Goal too good in this race on his return last season. His campaign didn't go to plan after that but there were valid excuses for those defeats. The aforementioned Golden Goal could prove to be the main threat once again, as he has drawn the rail stall just as he did 12 months ago and it would be no surprise to see him improve significantly for his comeback run last month. Desert Wisdom will be popular following his win in the Burj Nahaar and Godolphin Mile second last season, but he got a dream rail run on both of those occasions and will have to work harder from the nine box here. Those looking for an each-way alternative should consider Everfast, who put in a promising effort behind stablemate Prince Eiji in the Dubai Creek Mile last month.
Prediction : 1st Secret Ambition 2nd Golden Goal 3rd Everfast

With plenty of these having questions to answer a chance can be taken with DUBAI MIRAGE, who may be winless in the UAE but his Meydan form figures on turf read 22242 and today may be his day. The son of Dubawi was an easy winner of an Ascot handicap two starts ago off a mark of 102 and something was clearly amiss when well beaten at Newmarket last time. It would be no surprise to see Noble Truth go well following his win in the Jersey at Royal Ascot. However, the form of both of his wins in 2022 can be questioned. Al Suhail is another form pick but he disappointed on his only start here last season and stall 15 is a concern. Misty Grey has a good record over 7f and he should not be underestimated on his UAE debut, while Alfareeq and Internationalangel are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Dubai Mirage 2nd Noble Truth 3rd Misty Grey

Man Of Promise is the selection of William Buick over Lazuli and the six-year-old improved significantly over 6f at the Carnival last year. That said, the drop in trip is a slight concern, especially as this race is likely to be run at a very fast pace with PONNTOS in the field. The Czech raider caught the eye on a couple of occasions in 2022, winning a French Group 3 in May and he was not beaten far at all in the King George at Goodwood. He stood no chance in the Prix de l'Abbaye from stall 17 but he beat both rivals who stayed with him on the far side that day. This flat and fast 5f should prove to be ideal for the pacey five-year-old and the booking of a top local jockey also bodes well. The aforementioned Lazuli should be hard to keep out of the frame, while Mutaraffa and Equilateral have won this race for the last three years between them and are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Ponntos 2nd Man Of Promise 3rd Lazuli