16:20 Meydan

Friday 4 February 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Presented By The Longines Record Group 2 Stakes (Dirt)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 1m 57.41s

(4)

Eastern World^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S Al Balushi| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 97| D

50/1

Smart gelding. Good second in 1m course listed in December but below par twice since. Even a return to best unlikely to be enough.

Form: 0402-94

(9)

Everfast⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson| OR: 100| C

20/1

Smart gelding. One win from 1 run last year. Won 10-runner conditions event at this course (1m) 64 days ago, always holding on. Capable of getting involved.

Form: 69733/1-

(2)

For The Top^t⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: A Fresu| T: M Al Mheiri| OR: 98| C| D

28/1

Smart horse. Career best when winning 7-runner listed race at this course (1¼m) 64 days ago by 4 lengths from Remorse. Can make presence felt.

Form: 3/70001-

(12)

New Trails^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Dawson| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 103| CD

50/1

Useful gelding. Won 1¼m handicap here last February. 28/1, below form seventh of 16 in minor event at this course (1¼m) 14 days ago. Bit to find at this level.

Form: 006/16-7

(8)

Quip^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 105| D

80/1

Useful gelding. Eleven runs since last win in 2019. 28/1, last of 14 in conditions event at Meydan (1m, good) 28 days ago.

Form: 96946-0

(10)

Roman Rosso^b,t³¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: A de Vries| T: B Seemar| OR: 108

40/1

Smart gelding. Bit below form 9¾ lengths ninth of 15 to Secret Ambition in Godolphin Mile (9/1) at this course when last seen in March. Can make an impact if close to his best on return.

Form: 045/439-

(6)

Thegreatcollection^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: D Watson| OR: 111| C

18/1

Smart gelding. 4-time course winner. Bit below form 5½ lengths fourth of 14 to Golden Goal in Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at this course (1m) 21 days ago.

Form: 22473-4

(11)

Al Nefud²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: B Seemar| OR: 96| C

15/2

Useful gelding who has won 1m conditions events here on his last 2 starts. Will certainly need more up at Group 2 level but he does have Ryan Moore doing the steering.

Form: 2231-1

(1)

Fire Group^v⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: V Leal| T: M Al Mheiri| OR: 98| C

80/1

Fairly useful colt. 5/2, didn't need to be at best when winning 10-runner maiden at this course (9.9f) 50 days ago. This is a significant step up in class.

Form: 454021-

(5)

Go On^t1,v1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: D O'Neill| OR: 103

20/1

Useful colt. Winner at Santa Anita in October. 654/10, fourth to Express Train (reopposing Hot Rod Charlie 5 lengths ahead in second) in Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita (8.5f) in December.

Form: 2/21644-

(3)

Hot Rod Charlie^t1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: D O'Neill| OR: 119| BF| D

1/2

Very smart colt. Latest win at Parx in September. Creditable short-head second of 7 to Express Train in Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita (8.5f, 1/5) 40 days ago. Form choice.

Form: 32D142-

(7)

Kafoo^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| OR: 90| C

5/1

Rapidly developed into a smart performer in recent months, winning first 2 starts before 4¾ lengths third of 14 to Golden Goal in Maktoum Challenge Round 1 here (1m) 21 days ago. This trip will suit.

Form: 11-3

Forecasts

Hot Rod Charlie (1/2), Kafoo (5/1), Al Nefud (15/2), Thegreatcollection (18/1), Everfast (20/1), Go On (20/1), For The Top (28/1), Roman Rosso (40/1), New Trails (50/1), Eastern World (50/1), Fire Group (80/1), Quip (80/1)

HOT ROD CHARLIE has several very smart efforts to his name on dirt in the US, including his latest near miss in a Santa Anita Grade 2, and ought to take a bit of stopping under William Buick. For The Top won easily in listed company here in December and is feared most ahead of the unexposed Kafoo, who should prove suited by the step up in trip.