UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

It is very hard to oppose NAMROOD in a moderate event given that he should relish the drop in trip and return to dirt. The six-year-old was not disgraced when finishing fourth on his seasonal return over 7f in the Group 2 Bani Yas here in November, and a high draw on that occasion meant that he was up against it from the start. He confirmed his well-being with a narrow defeat over a mile on turf last time and he may be hard to stop against lesser opposition. Marmara Xm is a progressive mare who has won her last three starts on this surface and that includes a defeat of Leena and Mumayaza at Al Ain last month. Mohamed Daggash's seven-year-old should be able to get a good early position from stall three today and it would be no surprise to see her make the frame. Af Marmuq edges out the aforementioned Leena to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Namrood 2nd Marmara Xm 3rd Af Marmuq

Rawy merits plenty of respect following his fifth in the Dubawi Stakes over C&D earlier in the month, but he was given a 7lb rise for that effort and may well have to work harder to get to the front here. My Dubawi made a winning UAE debut over 6f at Jebel Ali last Saturday but a quick turnaround has to be concern. The unexposed and progressive Colour Up is likely to be popular, although he may get trapped wide from stall seven. With all of that in mind, a chance can be taken on BEHAVIORAL BIAS, who remains winless in the UAE but has made the frame on multiple occasions. He was second off this mark in a similar event at the Carnival last February and he will benefit if there is a pace duel up front. The veteran was not disgraced when fourth to Colour Up on his seasonal return, given that rival had race fitness on his side, and Bhupat Seemar's gelding is 8lb better off.
Prediction : 1st Behavioral Bias 2nd Rawy 3rd Colour Up

Boomshalaa was useful in the UK back in 2021 and has to be of interest on his UAE debut for a top yard, despite missing all of last year. That said, marginal preference is for TANEEN, who rarely runs poorly on the turf here and that includes a pair of close third-placed finishes over 6f last February. The 329-day break is a worry but if he's ready to go then it would be no surprise to see him play a leading role. Thunder Of Niagara is also capable of going well on his seasonal return, while Hierarchy edges out Home City and Shamlaan to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Taneen 2nd Boomshalaa 3rd Thunder Of Niagara

Mimi Kakushi accounted for a few of these when winning the trial here a month ago and it would be no surprise to see her go well again, although ASAWER may be able to reverse that form. Doug Watson's filly was second on that occasion but the extra furlong should really help this daughter of Nyquist and she should get an ideal trip from a low draw. One who should not be underestimated is Unjokable, who showed plenty of pace to lead the trial after breaking from stall eight. Ray Dawson's mount was making her racecourse debut on that occasion and she tired into fourth late on. With that run under her belt, this filly could mount a bold bid from an ideal rail draw. Cite D'Or is the highest rated of these and merits respect but she has questions to answer regarding this dirt surface.
Prediction : 1st Asawer 2nd Unjokable 3rd Mimi Kakushi

MASTER OF THE SEAS has been off the track since winning the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket last April but that performance proved that he can go well fresh and the Classic-placed son of Dubawi could be hard to stop here. I Am Superman has to be of interest on his UAE debut given that he was a dual Group 2 winner over an extended 7f in Australia and he was only beaten a head into second when last seen in Group 1 company in September. Modern News is likely to be prominent early on and the consistent five-year-old is likely to go well, while Land Of Legends is a talented performer on his day and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Master Of The Seas 2nd I Am Superman 3rd Modern News

A case can be made for all of these but marginal preference is for GET SHIRTY, who was hugely progressive in the UK last season. The son of Teofilo won the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot and the Old Newton Cup before finishing fifth in the Ebor. He then struggled in Group company but was not disgraced on either occasion and his best form gives him a big chance in this company. Global Heat is not the easiest to win with but he rarely runs poorly and has twice placed in Group 3 company over this C&D, including when third to Manobo in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy last February. Ardakan was highly tried last year and has to be respected on his debut for new connections, while Away He Goes and Traila have each-way claims.
Prediction : 1st Get Shirty 2nd Global Heat 3rd Ardakan

Bay Of Honour has to be of interest given that William Buick has chosen him over New Kingdom and Silent Film, who both have decent course form. Despite that, the vote goes to SPIRIT OF LIGHT, who caught the eye when staying on for fifth in the mile turf handicap here last week. That was his first start for 195 days and the six-year-old didn't get the clearest of passages on that occasion. The drop in trip should suit and he should be able to save ground from stall three. Shining Blue was a bit disappointing after winning his first three starts last year, but he remains unexposed and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back. Zainhom is not well drawn but he was placed in the Al Fahidi Fort over C&D last season and he could make the frame, while Raiku is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Spirit Of Light 2nd Bay Of Honour 3rd Shining Blue