UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

Down On Da Bayou merits respect following her impressive Jebel Ali victory recently and she was second over this C&D on her previous start. That said, the six-year-old could be vulnerable off a mark of 100 and may face early pace pressure from Bochart. With that in mind, preference is for QUALITY HUMOR, who chased home the high-class Bendoog (runs in the 4.55) over this track and trip in a rated conditions event two starts ago. The son of Distorted Humor had a confidence-boosting win at Jebel Ali subsequently and he looks to have plenty in his favour here. Quality Boone was amongst the best three-year-olds in the UAE last season, winning the Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday, and he has already won a handicap at Meydan. He is now 10lb higher than that handicap victory but his subsequent performances at a higher level, including his fifth in the UAE Derby, suggest that he can be competitive off his current mark. Royal Mews has valid form claims but is arguably at his very best over 7f, while Shamikh merits each-way consideration.
Prediction : 1st Quality Humor 2nd Quality Boone 3rd Down On Da Bayou

In an open event marginal preference is for FAST-UNO, who is a stakes winner on dirt over 7f Uruguay and his connections have done very well with their South American raiders in recent years. Godolphin obviously have a strong hand and Banddar may prove to be the pick of their trio for last year's winning combination of Pat Cosgrave and Saeed bin Suroor. The son of Dark Angel put in a career best when winning over 5f at Southwell last time and he should have no problem with the extra furlong today. The consistent Princeville merits consideration but the form of his nursery win in the UK last time can be questioned. One who should not be underestimated is Kal Barg following his promising display on debut here a couple of months ago.
Prediction : 1st Fast-Uno 2nd Banddar 3rd Kal Barg

Southern Hemisphere raiders have done well in three-year-old dirt races here in recent years and LORELEY could take some stopping. The Brazilian-bred colt has already won a local Group 1 in Uruguay and he prepped for a trip to the UAE with a 14-length Listed success in November. If he is a key contender then Eye On The Prize could also go well having been less than three lengths behind the selection two starts ago. Es-Unico was a beaten favourite when last seen in Uruguay but his previous form was very encouraging and he should not be underestimated. Tiger Nation may prove to be the best of the locals as he showed plenty of pace when winning on debut over 6f at Jebel Ali, and from stall one Mikael Barzalona may well get him to the front early. Those looking for an each-way alternative should consider Morning, who took a big step forward when getting off the mark last time and he should get a good trip from a low draw here.
Prediction : 1st Loreley 2nd Eye On The Prize 3rd Es-Unico

Soft Whisper merits the utmost respect having won a pair of Listed races over 7f in the UK last year. However, the daughter of Dubawi can be unpredictable and failed to fire in three starts at Meydan last season, so preference is for WILD BEAUTY. Charlie Appleby's filly was last seen finishing a close fifth in Group 1 company over 1m2f in May but she has decent form over this trip, having won the Fred Darling the previous month. The daughter of Frankel will arguably be at her very best over slightly further later in the Carnival but she may still prove too good for her rivals here. Ascot Brass is a useful Scandinavian filly and she merits each-way consideration, having finishing second in the Cape Verdi last season, along with Carolina Reaper and Nizaaka.
Prediction : 1st Wild Beauty 2nd Soft Whisper 3rd Ascot Brass

OTTOMAN FLEET looks sets to maintain Godolphin's recent dominance of this contest if reproducing the form that saw him win a Listed race over 1m2f at Newmarket in October. The son of Sea The Stars was unraced as a juvenile but he progressed throughout last year and it would be no surprise to see him continue that progression during the Carnival. Dubai Future is an obvious threat having scored in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot last season and he narrowly denied Passion And Glory when last seen in the Bahrain International Trophy. Valiant Prince won two mile handicaps here last season and put in a career best when a ready winner of a Listed race at York in June. He is another to note, along with the Group 2-placed French raider Zagrey.
Prediction : 1st Ottoman Fleet 2nd Dubai Future 3rd Valiant Prince

The likeable Bendoog is likely to prove popular following his second in the Entisar over C&D last month but there is every chance that FIRST CONSTITUTION, who was third in that contest, could reverse the form. The US import was having his first start since June on that occasion and Bendoog had the benefit of a recent race. Also, Bendoog got the run of the race on that occasion from stall one and, according to Trakus data, First Constitution covered 13 metres more ground that day. With Bendoog now out in box nine and with that run now under his belt, the selection may dominate this race from the front and merits the utmost respect. Salute The Soldier was disappointing last season given the progress that he made in 2021, but he should not be underestimated in this company, while Military Law is another who could bounce back on these terms.
Prediction : 1st First Constitution 2nd Bendoog 3rd Salute The Soldier

A case can be made for most of these but preference is for FIRST VIEW, who progressed well last year following an 811-day break. The son of Exceed And Excel didn't appear to get home in the John Smith's Cup (1m2f) and Cambridgeshire (1m1f) despite showing promise on both occasions, and in between those runs he won the valuable London Mile Series Final at Kempton. Pat Cosgrave may well have had the choice between him and the recent course winner Electrical Storm and that only offers more confidence for the six-year-old's chances. Echo Point has to be respected given his connections, although he was beaten as an odds-on favourite twice here last year and he may be slightly better over 1m2f. Ouzo failed to score in 2022 but he ran well in multiple big handicaps in the UK and it would be no surprise to see him make the frame. The aforementioned Electrical Storm should not be discounted, while Sense Of Wisdom and Papacito remain unexposed.
Prediction : 1st First View 2nd Ouzo 3rd Echo Point