14:00 Meydan

Friday 18 February 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Presented By Mina Hamriya Handicap (Dirt)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 1m 24.13s

(1)

Imperial Empire²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| OR: 99| CD

11/4

Dual C&D winner in late-2021. 2/1, again ran creditably when fifth of 11 in minor event at this C&D 3 weeks ago, late headway after forced to switch over 1f out. More needed here, though.

Form: 7011-65

(4)

Island Rule^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R Dawson| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 99| D

4/1

Off the mark at Jebel Ali in November but unable to land a blow upped in grade when fifth of 8 to Hypothetical in Firebreak Stakes at this course (8f) a fortnight ago. Each-way player.

Form: 152-25

(3)

Positivity^b1,t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Fernando Jara| T: D O'Neill| OR: 98| D

3/1

11/2 and in visor/tongue strap for 1st time, underperformed when 6¼ lengths eighth of 9 to Meraas in Al Shindagha Sprint at this course (6f) 7 days ago. Can make presence felt on handicap debut.

Form: 5412-28

(8)

Uae Prince⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: R Mullen| T: R Bouresly| OR: 96

100/1

66/1, tailed-off last of 12 to Algiers in Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile (8f) 6 days ago. Looks out of his depth in this.

Form: 2541/0-0

(10)

Desert Safari²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: M Barzalona| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 95

10/1

Shaped as if better for the run on first start since leaving Mark Johnston when tenth of 11 in minor event (17/2) at this C&D 3 weeks ago. This should reveal more.

Form: 03728-0

(2)

Silent Night^h,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: P Wahl| OR: 95

18/1

Not disgraced when 4½ lengths sixth of 10 to Creative Flair in Balanchine on the turf here (9f, good, 50/1) a fortnight ago. Back down in trip. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 5452-66

(6)

Aquaman²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D Watson| OR: 93| D

13/2

Two wins from 6 runs for Roger Varian last year. 11/1, made little impact when eleventh of 16 in handicap on the turf here (8f) 26 days ago. Big step forward required on all weather debut.

Form: 42213-0

(5)

Ahatis^t1⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: A Fresu| T: C Theodorakis| OR: 90| D

14/1

Prolific in Greece, making it five victories from 6 starts all at Markopoulo last year. Bit to find with some of these but the market should be a good indicator on his first start on these shores.

Form: 111211-

(9)

Behavioral Bias^p,t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: P Cosgrave| T: B Seemar| OR: 90| D

8/1

Just the one success from 21 Flat runs. Finished a never-nearer fifth of 11 in handicap at this course (6f, 9/2) 57 days ago and he could have a say in proceedings upped in trip.

Form: 543675-

Non-Runners

(7)

Desert Doctor²¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 7

T: E Walker J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Imperial Empire (11/4), Positivity (3/1), Island Rule (4/1), Aquaman (13/2), Behavioral Bias (8/1), Desert Safari (10/1), Ahatis (14/1), Silent Night (18/1), Uae Prince (100/1)

A few in with chances but BEHAVIORAL BIAS was doing his best work at the finish when fifth over 6f here a couple of months ago. With this step back up in trip sure to be in his favour, he gets the vote to notch just his second career success. Positivity wasn't at his best on his first start here last week but he's worth another chance on handicap debut, with Desert Safari next on the list.