UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

The unbeaten ASFAN AL KHALEDIAH arrives here on the back of an impressive victory in the Obaiyah Arabian Classic on Saudi Cup night last month. The five-year-old should be able to get a good early position from stall seven and he could prove to be a class above. That said, his stablemate Tilal Al Khalediah won the aforementioned contest in 2023 and he scored at the highest level on turf in Riyadh when last seen. The likes of Barakka, Af Alwajel and Rb Rich Lyke Me all have valid form claims but their draws have to a concern. One who should not be underestimated is Falaah, who caught the eye when staying on well from a wide draw in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over a mile here in December. He has subsequently won over this trip in Oman and, from a box three, he could surprise a few.
Prediction : 1st Asfan Al Khalediah 2nd Tilal Al Khalediah 3rd Falaah

The earlier start time means that this race is often heavily influenced by the draw, with five of the eight winners since this contest returned to dirt breaking from stall one or two. With that in mind, Eastern World has to be of interest as his 6f pace should mean that he can take advantage of the rail draw. However, SAUDI CROWN is also a pacey individual and was only caught late on when trying to make all over a stiff 1m1f in the Saudi Cup last month. Brad Cox's colt should relish this drop in trip and grade and, while stall nine is far from ideal, he could have the ability to overcome the draw. Walk Of Stars has been running well in defeat of late and is another who will be ridden aggressively from a low draw. Isolate won this race 12 months ago, but that was from box two and he's unlikely to be able to dominate from much wider here. Pacholli is an interesting UAE debutant and is worthy of each-way consideration, along with Qareeb.
Prediction : 1st Saudi Crown 2nd Eastern World 3rd Walk Of Stars

In a high-class renewal of this contest, marginal preference is for TOWER OF LONDON, who relished the return to quick ground when overcoming a bad trip to win the Red Sea Turf Handicap on Saudi Cup night last month. The son of Galileo had a lot more in hand than the winning distance suggests that day and he remains unexposed over marathon trips. Giavellotto was a length back in third on that occasion off top weight and, while he's not much better off with the selection, he is significantly better off with the likes of Enemy (second) and Al Nayyir (fourth). As a result, Marco Botti's charge could prove to be the main threat, although Eldar Eldarov and Coltrane would be key players if producing the pick of their European form. Siskany has a good record at this venue but was a beaten favourite in this race 12 months ago, while Trawlerman improved last season but was very disappointing on his only previous appearance in the UAE.
Prediction : 1st Tower Of London 2nd Giavellotto 3rd Eldar Eldarov

All of these have claims but it would be no surprise to see DANYAH retain the crown that he won 12 months ago. The seven-year-old accounted for a competitive field on that occasion and he has not been disgraced on either start over 7f this season, given that he was carrying a Group 1 penalty on both occasions. California Spangle sets the standard on ratings following his 7f success at the top level in Hong Kong a few weeks ago. That said, a fast 6f like this may catch him out and he will have plenty of pace pressure with Ponntos lining up. Star Of Mystery won twice here in January before chasing home Frost At Dawn in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint last time. Charlie Appleby's filly could reverse that form as the winner may have benefitted from racing on the best part of the track that day. Casa Creed is another international representative with valid form claims.
Prediction : 1st Danyah 2nd Star Of Mystery 3rd California Spangle

Forever Young is bound to be popular following his Saudi Derby success last month, but he only just got up on the line that day having been held up. Those tactics will be much harder to pull off here and stall 13 only makes his life more difficult. As a result, preference is for KILLER COLLECT, who showed a good attitude when winning the Al Bastakiya over C&D last month. The fact that race is now run earlier in the season is another positive, as it gives the son of Collected more time to recover. From the rail draw, Bhupat Seemar's colt could be very hard to catch. George Tesoro should not be underestimated but his draw is a slight concern, while similar comments apply to Henry Adams and Pandagate.
Prediction : 1st Killer Collect 2nd Forever Young 3rd Pandagate

SIBELIUS showed a great attitude when winning this race last year and his two most recent victories suggest that he is primed for a repeat bid. A Grade 3 success shortly before Christmas was followed by a Listed win at Tampa Bay Downs last month. On the latter occasion, the six-year-old accounted for Nakatomi, who could prove to be the main threat based on his third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November. Remake won well in Saudi last month but his hold-up style of racing is a concern here, as highlighted by his never-nearer fifth in this race 12 months ago. A place in front of him that day was Hopkins and Bob Baffert's charge should not be discounted, while Igniter also merits consideration.
Prediction : 1st Sibelius 2nd Nakatomi 3rd Hopkins

Cases can be made for most of these but marginal preference is for DANON BELUGA, who caught the eye when a never-nearer second in this contest 12 months ago. He confirmed his well-being when fourth to Equinox in the Tenno Sho over 1m2f in October and was not disgraced when sixth behind the same rival in the Japan Cup the following month. This trip may be ideal for the son of Heart's Cry and he should not be underestimated. Lord North has to be on the shortlist having won this race for the last three years (dead-heated in 2022) and his recent comeback run in the Winter Derby at Southwell was encouraging. Luxembourg may have disappointed when favourite in Saudi last month but that race should have put him spot on for this. He was second to Romantic Warrior and Auguste Rodin on his final starts last year and that level of form would have him in the mix here. Do Deuce arguably has stronger form than the selection from Japan but may not be able to match him over this distance. This C&D should really suit Nashwa and she cannot be ruled out, along with Voyage Bubble and Namur.
Prediction : 1st Danon Beluga 2nd Luxembourg 3rd Lord North

Liberty Island won the Japanese Oaks in fine style last May and followed that up with another Grade 1 success against her own sex in October. When last seen, she only found Equinox too good in the Japan Cup and the daughter of Duramente has to be high on the shortlist. That said, on the latter occasion she didn't have too much in hand over STARS ON EARTH, who was a further length back in third from a much wider draw. The five-year-old was then only narrowly denied by Do Deuce, once again from a wide draw, in the Arima Kinen and the consistent filly may be underestimated because she hasn't won since 2022. Auguste Rodin is an obvious threat having won four times at the highest level last year. He can be unpredictable, though, and may be at his most vulnerable on his first start of the season. Justin Palace is another with decent form in Japan behind Equinox and was not far behind the selection in the Arima Kinen, so he warrants each-way consideration. Emily Upjohn is a player on her best form, while Rebel's Romance is best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Stars On Earth 2nd Liberty Island 3rd Justin Palace

Ushba Tesoro was a good winner of this race last year but the son of Orfevre benefitted from a pace collapse on that occasion. He also came from a long way back when narrowly denied by Senor Buscador in the Saudi Cup last month. Back in fifth that day was DERMA SOTOGAKE, who may have been caught out by the lack of a run following his Breeders' Cup Classic second 112 days previously. The four-year-old was beaten in the Saudi Derby last year before a striking success in the UAE equivalent the following month. With that in mind, the return to Meydan could see him find improvement. Kabirkhan has won both of his UAE starts easily but those races were much weaker than this and Doug Watson's charge will need to find more. The aforementioned Senor Buscador should not be underestimated following his Saudi success, while Laurel River has the ability to go well.
Prediction : 1st Derma Sotogake 2nd Ushba Tesoro 3rd Senor Buscador