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Meydan preview
Frankie Dettori is back aboard Bedouin’s Story as he steps up in class for the Zabeel Mile following his last-gasp win in a handicap at Meydan three weeks ago.
The Italian was seen at his very best on the six-year-old, who had been off the track for well over a year.
Having entered the home straight almost last in the 16-runner affair, Dettori timed it to perfection, winning by a nose.
“He was too far back in the race, but we had Frankie on who gave him a good ride,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
“Luckily, he got a clear run all the way and he got there.
“This time he is in a better race – it’s a Group Two, so it’s a big step up for him.
“We’ll give him a chance at this level and see how he gets on, he’s already had a run so he’s fit.
“I don’t think so much he needs a big field, usually at the Carnival they are good races, strongly run, and that suits him.”
Dettori’s mount is likely to have most to fear from Charlie Appleby’s duo of Art Du Val and D’bai. Appleby also runs Velorum.
Appleby said: “D’Bai ran a very good race in the Al Fahidi Fort and the return to 1600 metres (a mile) is not a concern as he won over the trip as a young horse. We think the trip will suit him at this stage of his career.
“The 1800m (nine furlongs) looked slightly too far for Art Du Val in the Singspiel, so the drop back 200m should be in his favour.
“Velorum needed the comeback run in the Al Fahidi Fort and has improved from it. We think he can be competitive at this level.”
The Group Two Balanchine sees Appleby’s Althiqa and Summer Romance take on Bin Suroor’s Dubai Love and Last Look, with the Roger Varian-trained Stylistique also in the mix.
A’Ali, Caspian Prince, Equilateral, Lazuli, Waady and Nigel Tinkler’s Acklam Express face off in a fascinating Meydan Sprint.
Meydan betting tips
2.30 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
Tuz arrived from Russia last March and was only just beaten in a Listed contest over slightly further. Tadhg O'Shea landed a four-timer at Abu Dhabi on Sunday and his mount could be a surprise package this season. Hypothetical won a non-Carnival handicap last month but produced an even better run in the Group 3 Firebreak where he had Trancaferro, who was making his debut here, eight lengths back in fourth. Chiefdom was in tremendous form last winter, winning four times, though finished two lengths behind Golden Goal over the track and trip last December. He's only 2lb better off with Doug Watson's charge, who easily beat Desert Doctor over 7f last month. BRIGHT START made all for a facile success over the course and distance last month and, though taking on better rivals, is still progressing and can overcome a 7lb rise.
3.05 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
Waady won this last year by just under a length from Equilateral with Caspian Prince a further two lengths away in fourth. The runner-up was a length behind LAZULI in a Newbury Group 3 in September and, though the positions were reversed when they met again last month, Charlie Appleby's charge has the more scope and can take this. A'Ali, who is top rated, has a penalty for his Group 2 victory at the Curragh and makes his debut here while the three-year-old Acklam Express has a lot to do despite landing a York Listed contest when completing a hat-trick last summer.
3.40 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
Tailor's Row has been in excellent form all winter and was only beaten a nose in a lucrative Listed contest at Jebel Ali a couple of weeks ago when Sanad Libya ran well in fourth but Just A Penny and Mkfancy were well beaten. Dubai Icon took time to warm up last winter but ended with a fine run in a tough handicap and he'll be better for his run over a trip much too short last month. Another Godolphin entry, Desert Peace, will have been earmarked for this after his Kempton victory last summer but Twelfthofneverland is up 5lb for completing a double in a minor handicap. REAL WORLD has only had three runs and his narrow defeat by Sanad Libya in December on his debut here suggests he can land this, especially after easily reversing the form with that rival last month.
4.15 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
MNASEK couldn't get close to the odds-on Soft Whisper in the 1000 Guineas here but ran on well and the longer trip will see her in a better light. Super Chianti and Khatun finished third and fourth but never threatened while Nayefah was even further behind. Despite beating Al Maroom in a maiden three weeks ago, Jumeirah Beach has a lot more to do so Last Sunset, runner-up in the 1000 Guineas trial over 7f, is probably the main threat despite a disappointing defeat a couple of weeks ago.
4.50 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
D'BAI won the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort here in 2019 and went close to landing it again last month when staying on into second over that 7f trip. He has no problems with today's distance and can go in again though Godolphin have another big chance with Bedouin's Story, who was brought with a late run by Frankie to land a course and distance handicap three weeks ago. The selection's stable companion Art Du Val won a strong handicap here last February, when Epic Hero was close behind in third, and didn't run again until last month where he ran very well behind Lord Glitters in a Group 2 so has to be on the shortlist.
5.25 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
Most of these ran in the Cape Verdi over a mile three weeks ago including the four Godolphin entries. ALTHIQA (NAP) showed a blistering turn of foot that day to come from last to first and score with plenty in hand and she can complete a double over this longer trip. Runner-up Stylistique didn't get the clearest of runs and may get closer while Dubai Love finished off the race well having been tapped for toe in the straight. Summer Romance, who set a blistering gallop, should be better for the run but last year's very impressive UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou was well beaten in the Saudi Derby next time and hasn't run for almost a year.
6.00 - Click here for FREE video form and full racecard
The stable of Almoradi and Upper Class have had a winner at the Carnival but whether this pair can live up to their high international rating is another matter. The latter didn't run badly in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes three weeks ago when GLADIATOR KING was a close third and Bochart fifth. Satish Seemar's charge won two Group 3 contests here last winter before an excellent run in the lucrative Saudi Sprint and should have come on a bundle for last month's run. Al Tariq landed a Listed race at Jebel Ali a couple of weeks ago but will need to raise his game as will the consistent Important Mission, who hasn't proved himself in this company.
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