UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

In a competitive contest marginal preference is for last year's winner AL LAITH, who arrives here on the back of a hat-trick in recent months. The most recent of those wins came in a Group 2 over 7f at Abu Dhabi and he had plenty of his rivals here behind him on that occasion. Diyaah's fourth in the Group 1 Abu Dhabi Gold Cup last time suggests that she is likely to be in the mix, while Ar Rawaa chased home the selection most recently and has to be noted. Others to consider are Munir Du Soleil, Maahir and Ska De L'aigle.
Prediction : 1st Al Laith 2nd Diyaah 3rd Ar Rawaa

If back to his best, Royal Favour would clearly be the one to beat based on his UAE 2000 Guineas third in January. However, he was very disappointing when well beaten in the Al Bastakiya two weeks ago and that is a big concern. With that in mind, a chance can be taken on MOON BLADE, who also struggled in the Al Bastakiya but his saddle slipped on that occasion. He had previously beaten Poet Orten and Galactic Star (Al Bastakiya winner) over a mile here in February and that form gives him a big chance from a good draw. The aforementioned Poet Orten is likely to be in the mix, while High Season may have more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Moon Blade 2nd Royal Favour 3rd Poet Orten

Sense Of Wisdom caught the eye once again when fifth over 1m2f here three weeks ago and he is more than capable of winning a race of this nature. However, he does not look the easiest of rides and only has one win to his name. As a result, preference is for DECIDUOUS, who got no run at all in the same race last month and was only a couple of lengths behind Sense Of Wisdom. That followed two encouraging efforts in defeat and the six-year-old is clearly on a workable mark. Tafreej chased home two very well-handicapped rivals over a mile here last time and should not be underestimated, while Shepperton Lodge and Cosmic Desert complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Deciduous 2nd Sense Of Wisdom 3rd Tafreej

SALEYMM has only made two appearances since being switched to the UAE but the son of Dubawi has shown plenty of promise on both occasions. He proved that he handles dirt when third in the Al Garhoud Sprint over an inadequate 6f here in December 2023 and was far from disgraced when returning in a 7f turf handicap here last month. With that run under his belt, Michael Costa's gelding could be hard to stop from a good draw. Local Dynasty was sixth in the Burj Nahar last Saturday and that form gives him a big chance, but the quick turnaround is a worry. Military Law has not been seen since the Dubai World Cup in March last year and can be unpredictable, although he has more than enough ability to play a role in this company.
Prediction : 1st Saleymm 2nd Local Dynasty 3rd Military Law

MYSTERIOUS NIGHT may have finished a length behind Marbaan when they fought out the finish of the Al Fahidi Fort over C&D in January, but it would be no surprise to see Charlie Appleby's gelding reverse that form here. The son of Dark Angel is 3lb better off on this occasion and that was his first start since last June, whereas the winner had a prep run at Abu Dhabi in December. Michael Costa's inmate is obviously capable of giving the selection plenty to think about, while Kubrick and Echo Point can fight it out for the minor money.
Prediction : 1st Mysterious Night 2nd Marbaan 3rd Echo Point

ACTION POINT has taken a while to get acclimatised to the UAE but the talented four-year-old showed much more when seventh in a 6f dirt handicap here two weeks ago. The step up to 7f should suit on that evidence and he is dangerously well handicapped if finding any further progression. Pen Portrait was second that day and is an obvious danger, although a 5lb rise for that effort seems on the harsh side and the selection is significantly better off here. Al Arbed split the aforementioned pair when fourth in that contest and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Action Point 2nd Pen Portrait 3rd Al Arbed

Cases can be made for most of these but marginal preference is for NO RETREAT, who finally got off the mark over 7f here three weeks ago. A 7lb rise for that success is not ideal, but the son of Siyouni has the ability to rate higher and could be a different proposition now that he has a win to his name. Folk Festival beat the selection twice earlier in the year and is an obvious danger, although he needs to improve to reverse form with Magnum Opus. The latter appeared to have a bit in hand when winning over 1m1f at this venue recently and further improvement cannot be ruled out. Tamrat, Straight And Level and Silver Sword are each-way alternatives.
Prediction : 1st No Retreat 2nd Magnum Opus 3rd Folk Festival

In a race with plenty of deadwood, MATLOOB sets the standard following his third over 5f here last month. The minimum trip appeared to be a bit sharp for him on that occasion and the extra furlong here may be enough to see him score off the same rating. Three-year-olds have really made their mark in the turf sprinting division this season and Feeraas was not disgraced behind some talented rivals in a conditions event last time. On that evidence, he could go well against this level of opposition. Desert Safari has been given a big chance by the handicapper and should not be discounted, while Enchanted Life and Military Order are the pick of those drawn low.
Prediction : 1st Matloob 2nd Feeraas 3rd Desert Safari