UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

TILAL AL KHALEDIAH ran out an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago and has proven to be hard to beat since. A rare defeat in January was left behind when he won a Group 1 in Riyadh the following month and it is hard to see him being beaten if anywhere close to form. Rb Mary Lylah may have struggled on turf in Qatar last time, but her dirt form in the US suggests that she can play a role. Others to note are Rb Malexis and Unleashed.
Prediction : 1st Tilal Al Khalediah 2nd Rb Mary Lylah 3rd Rb Malexis

Aidan O'Brien has won this race for the last two years and Continuous should not be discounted, although he was largely disappointing in 2024 and his Saudi run in February was slightly underwhelming. With that in mind, preference is for AL NAYYIR, who was behind Continuous at Riyadh but he was giving that rival weight and was returning from a longer break. The seven-year-old filled the runner-up spot in this race 12 months ago and proved that to be no fluke with some very good efforts in the UK subsequently. Straight caught the eye when fifth in the Neom Turf Cup.
Prediction : 1st Al Nayyir 2nd Straight 3rd Continuous

The later than normal start time for this race could make the draw less important, but a prominent early position is still likely to be key. RAGING TORRENT has the early pace to get across from his gate and he will be hard to catch if doing so judged on his Grade 1 success in the Malibu at Santa Anita last time. Mufasa is an interesting import from the US for top local connections and he accounted for a high-class rival in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream when last seen. There is plenty of pace drawn wide here and if they take each other on early, then it could set up perfectly for the likes of King Gold and Steal Sunshine.
Prediction : 1st Raging Torrent 2nd Mufasa 3rd King Gold

In an open event a chance can be taken on REGIONAL, who has not been seen since a slightly disappointing fourth in Group 3 company at Newbury in July. That said, he had previously filled second place in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot and this flat and fast 6f should suit this former Group 1 winner. Believing ran well in defeat multiple times at the highest level last season and is likely to be in the mix once again, but could be vulnerable. West Acre has made his mark with two Group victories over 5f at this venue earlier in the year. However, he takes on much stronger rivals here and the step up in trip may not be ideal. Howdeepisyourlove's form against Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong earns him plenty of respect.
Prediction : 1st Regional 2nd Believing 3rd Howdeepisyourlove

FLOOD ZONE had plenty in hand when readily taking the Gotham over a mile at Aqueduct a month ago and a reproduction of that level of form would make Brad Cox's colt hard to beat. Don In The Mood finished in front of a couple of the Japanese raiders here when third in a Tokyo Listed race over a mile. It would be no surprise to see him play a role now stepped up in trip, while Admire Daytona and Shin Forever are next best.
Prediction : 1st Flood Zone 2nd Don In The Mood 3rd Admire Daytona

This is likely to be run at a frenetic early pace as local hero Tuz bids to see off main form rival Straight No Chaser to the lead. However, Super Chow also likes to make the running and is drawn on the inside of both of those rivals. With that in mind, it's possible that at least one of the market leaders could disappoint and a chance can be taken on AMERICAN STAGE. The Japanese raider was only making his seventh career start when second to Tuz in the Mahab Al Shimaal last month and improvement can be expected. Nakatomi is another who could pick up some money late in the day.
Prediction : 1st American Stage 2nd Tuz 3rd Nakatomi

Romantic Warrior is clearly the one to beat if at his best but he arrives here on the back of a hard race in the Saudi Cup and looks likely to be a very short price. As a result, preference is for SOUL RUSH, who was only half a length behind Romantic Warrior in a Tokyo Group 1 last June. The seven-year-old won at the highest level subsequently and caught the eye when second in the Hong Kong Mile in December. A recent outing in Japan should have put him spot on for this and he should not be underestimated. Liberty Island is noted too.
Prediction : 1st Soul Rush 2nd Romantic Warrior 3rd Liberty Island

It can be argued that CALANDAGAN was an unlucky second on his final two starts last year, as he met trouble in running in the Champion Stakes and was set a stiff task when trying to run down City Of Troy in the International. He proved that he stays this far with an impressive success in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot and only a lack of a recent run is a concern. Last year's winner Rebel's Romance has to be of interest once again having added another Breeders' Cup Turf to his record in November. Shin Emperor and Durezza look to be the pick of the Japanese representatives.
Prediction : 1st Calandagan 2nd Rebels Romance 3rd Shin Emperor

The draw has worked out well for WALK OF STARS, who has taken a big step forward this season. He didn't have much to beat when dominating The Entisar here in December but readily saw off stablemate Imperial Emperor in the Al Maktoum Challenge the following month. A disappointing effort behind Forever Young in the Saudi Cup can be forgiven and he could dominate this field from the front. The aforementioned Forever Young merits the utmost respect after seeing off Romantic Warrior in Riyadh and looks sure to be in the mix. The four-year-old is a solid contender but could be vulnerable if Walk Of Stars gets an easy lead. Imperial Emperor is likely to be popular following a career best in the Al Maktoum Classic.
Prediction : 1st Walk Of Stars 2nd Forever Young 3rd Imperial Emperor