UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

Rb Rich Lyke Me has to be respected given his form so far this year but he needs to lead and stall 14 is a major concern. With that in mind, preference is for FIRST CLASSS, who won this race 12 months ago when running down Kerless Del Roc late on. The likely fast early pace will suit this six-year-old and he should be able to get a good early position tracking the speed. He won a Group 1 on turf at Abu Dhabi in December and a spin in Doha last month is likely to have put him spot on for this. Deryan has largely been disappointing since winning this event in 2021, but he has not had a lot of luck with draws during that time and some promise can be taken from his efforts at this venue this season. From the rail box, it would be no surprise to see the eight-year-old go well here. Barakka has made a big impression in his short career to date and he is another to note from a low draw.
Prediction : 1st First Classs 2nd Deryan 3rd Barakka

Due to an earlier start time for this meeting, rail runners have an increased advantage in this contest and horses drawn one or two have won four of the last seven renewals. That makes Isolate interesting given his promising efforts over 6f here this season and he has won over 7f in the US. That said, a mile is a concern and preference is for ROYAL MEWS. Bhupat Seemar's gelding has proven to be a consistent performer of late and was not disgraced when third in the Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday. The son of Siyouni is drawn well in box three and Tadhg O'Shea could bid to make all, like he did on Secret Ambition two years ago. Everfast has drawn the rail and, while he is unlikely to be in the mix for the early lead, he stays well and could easily make the frame. Bathrat Leon has to be noted on his return having won this contest 12 months ago, although he was drawn one on that occasion and stall eight here will make his life much harder.
Prediction : 1st Royal Mews 2nd Isolate 3rd Everfast

Siskany is the obvious starting point in this contest following his victory in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy over 1m6f at this venue last month. That said, the extra two furlongs here is not certain to suit and it would be no surprise to see ARDAKAN, who was second on that occasion, reverse the form. Marco Botti's colt won the Italian Derby last year and has caught the eye on both starts over 1m6f at the Carnival in recent months. He looks sure to improvement for this step up in trip and merits the utmost respect. Al Nayyir was third to the aforementioned pair last time and should not be underestimated. Soft ground was a valid excuse for Broome's poor performance on his sole previous start over 2m and he could go well now on a quicker surface.
Prediction : 1st Ardakan 2nd Siskany 3rd Broome

LADIES CHURCH put in a promising display on her UAE debut when a short-head second to Miqyaas in the Blue Point Sprint over 5f here last month. That performance is only enhanced by the fact that the daughter of Churchill was trapped away from the pace and her finishing effort suggests that the step up in trip should not be a problem. Al Dasim is an obvious danger following his impressive win on Super Saturday but he certainly faces a tougher task in this company. Logo Hunter was third in the Blue Point having been with Bhupat Seemar just a few weeks and it would be no surprise to see him outrun his price here. Hong Kong raider Sight Success has to be of some interest, while Cazadero and Happy Romance merit each-way consideration.
Prediction : 1st Ladies Church 2nd Al Dasim 3rd Sight Success

This is an open renewal of this contest and a chance can be taken on ES-UNICO. The son of War Secretary put in a promising display when second in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over an inadequate 7f here in January. He then split Derma Sotogake (third) and Continuar (fifth) when a never-nearer fourth in the Saudi Derby over a mile last month. Those performances, as well as his pedigree, suggest that he should only improve over this trip and might be underestimated in the market. Worcester is still a maiden but he was Grade 3-placed at Santa Anita last time and that form gives him a big chance. Cairo has valid form claims and is by Quality Road, although he is out of a Galileo mare and this is a big ask on his dirt debut. Dura Erede has won on dirt in Japan and is another who merits a place on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Es-Unico 2nd Worcester 3rd Dura Erede

SIBELIUS has been in outstanding form in recent months and followed up his Grade 3 victory two starts ago with a stakes success at Tampa Bay Downs last month. The five-year-old has plenty of early pace and could take full advantage of his rail draw. Last year's winner Switzerland confirmed his well-being when scoring in the Dubawi Stakes over C&D in January and he should get an ideal trip from stall two. Hopkins remains unexposed and has a very good record over 6f, which suggests that the recent US Grade 3 winner could go well in a race of this nature. Gunite and C Z Rocket both have strong form claims but wide draws will make life difficult for them.
Prediction : 1st Sibelius 2nd Switzerland 3rd Hopkins

REAL WORLD was bitterly disappointing in the Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday but that came on the back of a 263-day break. If you can forgive that effort, the son of Dark Angel is arguably the one to beat here based on his two second-placed finishes to Baaeed in the UK last year. He proved that he likes this track when readily beating Alfareeq in the Zabeel Mile last year and that performer has subsequently won the Jebel Hatta twice. Nations Pride readily won the Dubai Millennium over 1m2f last month and may be the main beneficiary if the selection fails to fire once again. Glorious Dragon was not far behind the likes of Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin recently and he could make the frame at a decent price.
Prediction : 1st Real World 2nd Nations Pride 3rd Glorious Dragon

Equinox has been very popular in the ante-post markets for this race in recent weeks following his victories in the Tenno Sho and Arima Kinen last year. He was particularly impressive on the latter occasion but, given their worldwide success in recent years, the days of Japanese raiders being underestimated on the international markets are long gone. With that in mind, a chance can be taken on REBEL'S ROMANCE, who was hugely progressive in 2022. The son of Dubawi won two German Group 1 contests prior to a decisive victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in November. He did miss his prep for this on Super Saturday, and that is a concern, but Charlie Appleby should have him spot on anyway. Shahryar narrowly won this race 12 months ago and edges out Westover to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Rebels Romance 2nd Equinox 3rd Shahryar

A race that was thrown wide open when Algiers (13), Country Grammer (14) and Panthalassa (15) drew the three widest gates. All still have the ability to be successful but their tasks have certainly been made much more difficult as a result. With that in mind, a chance can be taken with T O KEYNES, who should get an ideal trip from box six. The six-year-old readily accounted for Crown Pride in a local Grade 1 in Japan in November and was trapped wide throughout when putting up a respectable defence of his Champions Cup title the following month. When last seen, he was narrowly behind Ushba Tesoro last month but could reverse that form with a strong pace likely here. That said, Ushba Tesoro cannot be discounted on the back of some progressive efforts. Jun Light Bolt beat the selection in the Champions Cup but his style of racing may not suit this track. Cafe Pharoah has an each-way chance, while similar comments apply to Geoglyph.
Prediction : 1st T O Keynes 2nd Ushba Tesoro 3rd Algiers