UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

A case can be made for most of these but the step up in trip may just give GO SOLDIER GO the edge. Fawzi Nass' colt caught the eye when staying on for third over 7f here a few week ago where he was trapped wide throughout, which meant that he covered 20 metres more than the winner. This smaller field should suit this son of Tapiture and it would be no surprise to see him take a big step forward. Lahresh is an obvious threat having finished ahead of the selection when boasting the advantage of racecourse experience last month, although he is not certain to relish the extra yardage. Cosmic Kid showed plenty of promise on his UAE debut in the Jumeirah Classic Trial and he is likely to go very well if transferring that form to dirt. Others to note are Flying Hunter and Eye On The Prize.
Prediction : 1st Go Soldier Go 2nd Lahresh 3rd Cosmic Kid

It is very hard to oppose Man Of Promise after his encouraging return in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash over 5f here recently and the step back up to 6f will help last season's Al Quoz third. That said, a chance can be taken with NAHAARR, who is more than a match for Charlie Appleby's gelding based on the pick of his form. The seven-year-old was a high-class sprinter in the UK for William Haggas, and it was only three starts ago that he was beaten a neck into second behind Starman in the Duke Of York. The son of Dark Angel also hit the crossbar on his sole start last year and he should not be be underestimated on his debut for Michael Costa, given how well the Australian has started at Jebel Ali Stables. The remainder all have plenty to prove, but Batwan and Motafaawit both merit each-way consideration.
Prediction : 1st Nahaarr 2nd Man Of Promise 3rd Motafaawit

Withering arguably sets the standard based on his second in the Al Bastakiya last season and he confirmed his well-being when second on turf here 12 days ago. Quality Humor is another with strong form claims and he may improve for the step up in trip, having looked one-paced over a mile here two weeks ago. However, preference is for EL PATRIOTA, who may be underestimated on his return to dirt. The five-year-old was third in the Al Bastakiya back in 2021, having previously won the trial for that contest, and filled the same position when behind two high-class performers on this surface a year ago. He was rated 103 at that time and has to be of interest now off 95.
Prediction : 1st El Patriota 2nd Withering 3rd Quality Humor

MAWJ proved herself to be among the best juvenile fillies in the UK last season with a victory in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge and a third-placed finish in the Cheveley Park when last seen. The step up to 7f should not be a problem for this half-sister to Modern Games and she may prove to be a class above her rivals. Dream Of Love is the clear pick of the remainder having confirmed her debut promise when making the frame in a Listed race at Newmarket in October, while her stablemate Glory Lily is another to note. Away from the Godolphin representatives, Alseyoob showed promise on her UAE debut against the colts three weeks ago and merits each-way consideration.
Prediction : 1st Mawj 2nd Dream Of Love 3rd Glory Lily

One who may go under the radar is FELIX on the evidence that he was not at his very best in the UK last year. That said, the son of Lope De Vega was third in the Dubai Turf back in 2021 and he wasn't disgraced at all when fifth in the Jebel Hatta last season on his sole subsequent start in the UAE. The seven-year-old appeared to be coming back to form when third on his most recent outing at Chelmsford and he commands plenty of respect back in Dubai. White Wolf is bound to be popular as his only defeat to date came when sixth behind the Derby winner Desert Crown in the Dante last May, but a mark of 99 appears to be stiff enough on what he has achieved so far. Falling Shadow has to be considered given his connections, while Blue Trail should not be discounted despite being rather unpredictable.
Prediction : 1st Felix 2nd White Wolf 3rd Falling Shadow

In a race that lacks much early pace, a chance can be taken with EVER GIVEN on his debut for new connections. The son of Kodi Bear was a Listed winner and Group 3 placed over 7f for previous connections and was purchased for 210,000gns in October. He may not be bred for dirt and 7f is his ideal trip, but Mickael Barzalona should be able to keep him out of the kickback by getting him to the lead and the Frenchman is a master of dominating fields from the front around here. Discovery Island is the form pick having chased home Algiers in the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge and is an obvious threat, although a slow pace will not help his chances. Similar comments apply to Everfast and Imperial Empire, while Law Of Peace has to be of some interest on his return after being highly progressive last season.
Prediction : 1st Ever Given 2nd Discovery Island 3rd Law Of Peace

NAVAL POWER's disappointing effort in the Dewhurst can easily be forgiven as he was reported to have bled during the race and he is better judged on his Listed success at Haydock in September. The step up in trip should help this son of Teofilo and he is clearly the one to beat. Long Kiss won the trial for this race over 7f three weeks ago but may not be able to confirm that form with Highbank, who was third on that occasion and is more likely to benefit from this trip. One Nation was a useful two-year-old last season but will need to improve to beat the selection.
Prediction : 1st Naval Power 2nd Highbank 3rd Long Kiss

There is likely to be a very fast early pace here and that should suit the progressive WESTERN SYMPHONY. The son of Shamardal was an impressive C&D winner on his return to action in November and the extra furlong was a valid excuse when second here on his next outing. He bounced back from a subsequent defeat up the hill at Jebel Ali with another second-placed finish on turf over 7f here 12 days ago. From stall six, the five-year-old should be able to track the leaders and it would be no surprise to see him power clear in the straight, like he did in November. The Attorney and Fast-Uno are both capable of going well but they might not help their chances by taking each other early. Island Rule was out of his depth in Group 2 company last time, where he was also unruly in the starting stalls, but his previous form gives him a decent chance at this level.
Prediction : 1st Western Symphony 2nd Island Rule 3rd The Attorney