18:00 Meydan

Thursday 18 February 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:00

Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored By New Land Rover Defender (Group 3) - Dirt

Off time: 18:01 | Winning time: 1m 10.56s

(7)

Al Tariq^b¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson| OR: 101

25/1

Useful gelding. 14/1, career best when winning 8-runner listed race at Jebel Ali (5f) 13 days ago by 1¼ lengths from Fanaar. Remains low-mileage on this surface and further progress not ruled out.

Form: 558/2-51

(2)

Alkaraama^t1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: M Al Mheiri| OR: 100| D

18/1

Smart horse. Below form 4¼ lengths third of 8 to Al Tariq in listed race (5/6) at Jebel Ali (5f) 13 days ago. Needs to step up to play a lead role now (well held in this race last season).

Form: 2714-83

(5)

Almoradi^b,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Fernando Jara| T: A Cintra Pereira| OR: 109

50/1

Smart horse. 66/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, 12¾ lengths ninth of 10 to Land of Legends in Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan (7f, good) 28 days ago. Switch to dirt rates a likely plus.

Form: 11112-9

(8)

Behavioral Bias^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: S Seemar| OR: 95| D

28/1

Useful gelding. 12/1, respectable third of 10 in handicap at this C&D 14 days ago. However, his losing run stretches back to 2017.

Form: 242-543

(4)

Bochart^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Mullen| T: S Seemar| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Smart gelding. 5-time course winner. Two wins from 4 runs last year. Below form 7 lengths fifth of 9 to Switzerland in Dubawi Stakes at this C&D (15/2) 28 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 3/1153-5

(6)

Gladiator King²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: S Seemar| OR: 112| CD

4/9

Smart horse. Two wins from 3 runs last year. 1/2, respectable 2½ lengths third of 9 to Switzerland in Dubawi Stakes at this C&D 28 days ago. Won this race last term and he's a lead player again.

Form: 25/113-3

(1)

Important Mission^p1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 100| CD

4/1

Useful gelding. C&D winner. Five wins from 19 Flat runs. Two wins from 5 runs last year. Latest win here in December. Respectable second of 10 in handicap (4/1) at this C&D 14 days ago.

Form: 2151-32

(9)

The Perfect Crown⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Ffrench| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 101

28/1

Useful colt. Latest win at Lingfield in August. Creditable 2¼ lengths fourth of 12 to Kenway in listed race at Deauville (7.4f, 10/1) 68 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Archie Watson.

Form: 1/31934-

Non-Runners

(3)

Upper Class²⁸

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: A Cintra Pereira J: V Leal

Forecasts

Gladiator King (4/9), Important Mission (4/1), Bochart (10/1), Alkaraama (18/1), Upper Class (20/1), Al Tariq (25/1), Behavioral Bias (28/1), The Perfect Crown (28/1), Almoradi (50/1)

A winner of this race last term, GLADIATOR KING shaped as if retaining all his ability when third in the Dubawi Stakes on return last month and he's fancied to show the benefit of that run here and resume winning ways. Bochart, Upper Class and Important Mission head up the dangers.