UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

Barakka is obviously the one to beat having won the second round of this series last season before filling second place in the Kahayla Classic when last seen in March. That said, the lack of a recent run and a wide draw could leave him vulnerable and a chance is taken on NAJM AL WATHBA. The five-year-old remains unexposed and won the Bani Yas here on his second and final start of the last campaign. He then caught the eye when tiring late into fifth on his comeback run in the same event last month. With that run now under his belt, Majed Al Jahoori's entire could be hard to stop from stall three. Others to note are Kanaille De Faust, Maahir and Af Alajaj.
Prediction : 1st Najm Al Wathba 2nd Barakka 3rd Kanaille De Faust

Ponntos accounted for BILHAYL by just under a length when beating that rival into second in this contest 12 months ago. The Czech raider has to be of interest once again but it would be no surprise to see Michael Costa's gelding turn that form around. The six-year-old is 3lb better off now and, having progressed well last season to end his campaign with a fourth in the Al Quoz, the son of Shamardal may have too much for Ponntos this time. Cover Up ran well in some top-class sprint handicaps in the UK earlier in the year and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Bilhayl 2nd Ponntos 3rd Cover Up

Arigatou Gozaimasu created a big impression when bolting up on her debut over C&D last month. However, she had everything go her way that day from stall one and faces a much tougher task from the 10 box here. As a result, preference is for FLAMA SUNSHINE, who was trapped wide and showed signs of greenness when second on that occasion. Bhupat Seemar's filly displayed plenty of early pace that day, which suggests that she could take the lead early on here from stall five. If that does happen, the daughter of Flameaway could get off the mark. Secret Combination won on her racecourse bow in the UK last month and is likely to be in the mix if taking to this surface.
Prediction : 1st Flama Sunshine 2nd Arigatou Gozaimasu 3rd Secret Combination

DANYAH won this race two seasons ago before being denied by just a head under an 8lb penalty 12 months ago. He made the frame in the Al Fahidi Fort over C&D subsequently and his defeat in the Al Quoz can be forgiven. On his form over this track and trip, the seven-yerar-old is clearly the one to beat. San Donato's Zabeel Mile victory has him right in the mix at this level on his debut for Michael Costa, while Native Approach and Ghaly have to be of some interest for Godolphin.
Prediction : 1st Danyah 2nd San Donato 3rd Native Approach

In an open event, marginal preference is for ARTORIUS, who did not hit the heights once expected of him in the US. That said, the son of Arrogate still showed plenty of ability and could take high rank among locals at this trip. Clapton twice made the frame in competitive events over the extended 1m1f here last season before struggling in the World Cup. Now in the care of Doug Watson, he could take a step forward during his second season in the UAE. Meshtri has to be of interest having beaten a highly-rated rival in the Dubai Creek Mile last month, but this is a tougher test.
Prediction : 1st Artorius 2nd Clapton 3rd Meshtri

In a race that lacks any strength in depth it is very hard to oppose MEASURED TIME in his bid to follow up his success in this event 12 months ago. Charlie Appleby's colt went on to score in the Jebel Hatta and was not disgraced when fourth in the Dubai Turf in March. A subsequent Grade 1 win in the US was followed by a second at the same level when last seen at Saratoga in August, and all of that form suggests that he could be a class above here. Royal Dubai has progressed well during 2024 and could be the main threat, ahead of Sean and Alfareeq.
Prediction : 1st Measured Time 2nd Royal Dubai 3rd Sean

Walk Of Stars is a consistent performer who is likely to go very well, but he doesn't convince with his finishing effort and stall 10 is another concern. With that in mind, preference is for MILITARY LAW, who beat Walk Of Stars when winning the Al Maktoum Classic on Super Saturday in March. He was narrowly denied in this race 12 months ago and the son of Dubawi is the safest pick in a race where all have questions to answer. Auto Bahn showed plenty of promise in the three-year-old division last season, filling second place in the Al Bastikiya and UAE Derby, but he has to prove himself against older rivals on his debut for Doug Watson.
Prediction : 1st Military Law 2nd Walk Of Stars 3rd Auto Bahn

With most of these looking exposed, ROYAL POWER stands out for Charlie Appleby. The son of Frankel has been gelded since finishing a close second in a valuable handicap over 1m2f at Newmarket in July and that followed a respectable third in a 1m3f Listed race at Goodwood. It would be no surprise to see him develop into a Group performer in the UAE this season and he tops the shortlist. Keffaaf and Asaassi are likeable types for Michael Costa and they are both likely to be in the mix, although they may lack the class of the selection. Intricacy won well over 1m2f here in February and he may have more improvement left to come.
Prediction : 1st Royal Power 2nd Intricacy 3rd Keffaaf

Cases can be made for most of these, but MESHAKEL should not be underestimated. There have been valid excuses for his two defeats this season and he could well bounce back with a good draw over his ideal C&D. The six-year-old won a similar event here in February off a 4lb lower mark and was not disgraced when fourth in the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday. On the latter of those occasions, he was just a head behind Morning off level weights and Salem bin Ghadayer's entire gets 7lb from that rival here. Falcon Of Arabia and the aforementioned Morning are the pick of Bhupat Seemar's trio, while Lahfaty needs to put in a career best but may be suited by this return to Meydan.
Prediction : 1st Meshakel 2nd Falcon Of Arabia 3rd Morning