UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

Barakka and Deryan both merit plenty of respect having finished second and third respectively behind Rb Rich Lyke Me in the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge earlier in the month. There is no obvious reason why Deryan should reverse that form as he had a better draw on that occasion and covered 10 metres less than Barakka. Ray Dawson's mount is now drawn on the inside of Deryan and can confirm those placings, but he may well struggle to beat HIAB AL ZAMAN. Fawzi Nass' UAE newcomer was a top-class performer in the US and was last seen winning a Grade 1 at Pimlico on Preakness Day last year. The six-year-old made all to win by a wide margin on that occasion and similar tactics could make him hard to beat from the rail draw here.
Prediction : 1st Hiab Al Zaman 2nd Barakka 3rd Deryan

It is interesting that William Buick has seemingly chosen Dhahabi over FIRST RULER, given that the latter was third in the Dubai Racing Club Classic over C&D a month ago and Dhahabi was narrowly behind in fourth. It should also be noted that Dhahabi got a dream run on the rail on that occasion, while First Ruler had a wide trip throughout and ended up covering 25 metres more ground. Something similar could happen again today given their respective draws, but, in a slightly smaller field, James Doyle may be able to save more ground on the son of Dubawi and he remains unexposed over this trip. Global Heat won here recently but was behind the aforementioned pair two starts ago and may struggle to reverse that form. Al Nayyir has relished the switch back to turf with two impressive victories in local events here in recent weeks, although further improvement is required to score at this level.
Prediction : 1st First Ruler 2nd Dhahabi 3rd Al Nayyir

An interesting contest with a few making their UAE debuts, and it would be no surprise to see SOUND MONEY make an instant impact in Dubai. The son of Flatter mixed it with some of the best in the US last year, including Jackie's Warrior and Cody's Wish, and he may have the speed to take advantage of stall four here. The importance of a low draw in these high-class dirt sprints was highlighted by the fact that the first five home in the Dubawi Stakes over C&D broke from the five lowest stalls. Mouheeb was third on that occasion and is likely to go well again. I'll Stand Taller should not be underestimated for connections who have a good record at the Carnival, while Isolate and Eastern World are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Sound Money 2nd Mouheeb 3rd Ill Stand Taller

Soft Whisper accounted for a few of these when winning the IPI Tombe Stakes over 7f here three weeks ago, but that form can be questioned and the step up to a mile is not ideal for Saeed bin Suroor's mare. With that in mind, preference is for WITH THE MOONLIGHT, who won the Pretty Polly in the UK last year before going on to score at Grade 3 level over an extended 1m1f in the US. The daughter of Frankel also made the frame at Grade 1 level in America and it would be no surprise to see her play a leading role here. If Lyrical Poetry repeated the form that saw her finish a close fifth in a high-class renewal of the Blandford Stakes at the Curragh last September, then she could go very well. Fall In Love is another who should not be underestimated given some of her form at Group 1 level in France.
Prediction : 1st With The Moonlight 2nd Lyrical Poetry 3rd Fall In Love

This race revolves around Algiers and if he can reproduce the form that saw him win the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over a mile here last month in very impressive style. That said, big performances on dirt can often be followed by a disappointing effort and he can be taken on with REMORSE. Bhupat Seemar's gelding progressed throughout last season and was second in the final leg of this series on Super Saturday and was far-from disgraced when sixth in the Dubai World Cup. He confirmed his well-being with a defeat of stablemate Bendoog in the Entisar here shortly before Christmas and should get an ideal trip from stall two here. Salute The Soldier merits respect having bounced back to form in the Thunder Snow Challenge, but he needs everything to go his way to score and the aforementioned Bendoog may prove to be the safest pick for the minor money.
Prediction : 1st Remorse 2nd Algiers 3rd Bendoog

Valiant Prince edged out Dubai Future (second) and Ottoman Fleet (third) narrowly to win the Al Rashidiya over C&D last month and all three of them command respect once again. William Buick has stuck with Ottoman Fleet, who is 3lb better off with the winner, and it would be no surprise to see him reverse that form. That said, Valiant Prince is progressive and further improvement should not be discounted. However, one who may well be underestimated is SHELIR, who arguably put in a career best when a close second to Master Of The Seas in the Zabeel Mile last time. With a clear run, the son of Dark Angel may well have won that Group 2 event and it's not hard to argue that Master Of The Seas would rank higher than either of Charlie Appleby's representatives in this race. Dubai Future is a consistent performer who is likely to be thereabouts, while similar comments apply to Alfareeq.
Prediction : 1st Shelir 2nd Ottoman Fleet 3rd Valiant Prince

In a wide-open contest marginal preference is for MOQTARREB, who caught the eye when finishing a close seventh in a competitive handicap over C&D last month. He was trapped wide on the bend that day and covered 11 metres more than the reopposing Ouzo, who was a length and three quarters ahead in third. Dane O'Neill's mount has some high-class form over C&D, as highlighted by his fifth in last year's Group 2 Zabeel Mile, and he can gain deserved victory here. Tranquil Night disappointed in the Britannia at Royal Ascot when last seen but his previous form was very encouraging and he may bounce back in the UAE. Tamborrada ran well when third to a useful rival here a month ago and he should not be discounted, while Legend Of Dubai and Zainhom are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Moqtarreb 2nd Tranquil Night 3rd Ouzo