12:20 Meydan

Saturday 26 March 2022

All11:4512:2012:5513:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 2) (Dirt)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 1m 36.03s

(2)

Al Nefud⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| OR: 96| CD

13/8

Has taken tremendously well to racing round here and found only a high-class rival too good attempting the hat-trick in Maktoum Challenge Round 2 over 9.4f just over 7 weeks ago, pulling clear of the remainder. Outstanding claims.

Form: 2231-12

(15)

Algiers⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 107| D

25/1

Created a good impression on stable/dirt debut and backed that up with a game success at Jebel Ali (8f, 5/1) 6 weeks ago by 1½ lengths from Remorse. Others have achieved more.

Form: 1335-21

(8)

Bankit^t1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J Ortiz| T: Steven Asmussen| OR: 118| BF| D

18/1

Two wins from 5 starts in America last year. 19/10, only fifth of 10 in claimer at Oaklawn (8f) 5 weeks ago. Could have a say on his first start on these shores.

Form: 12213-5

(1)

Bathrat Leon⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Sakai| T: Y Yahagi| D

80/1

Successful twice in 2021. 3½ lengths ninth of 16 to in Group 3 at Chukyo (8f, firm) 80 days ago and likely to come up short here.

Form: 00000-9

(6)

Desert Wisdom^v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: A de Vries| T: A Al Shemaili| OR: 96| CD

16/1

Off the mark on yard debut at Jebel Ali and showed improved form to double his career tally when landing 11-runner Burj Nahaar at this C&D (33/1) 3 weeks ago by 1½ lengths from Mubakker. Each-ways claims.

Form: 01-2291

(16)

Dubai Icon^v²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 111| C| D

80/1

Course winner in January but has badly disappointed on both subsequent starts, latest when 24¾ lengths eleventh of 14 to Hypothetical in Maktoum Challenge Round 3 at this course (9.9f) 3 weeks ago. Bounce back required.

Form: 272-100

(11)

Full Flat⁶²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: H Yoshihara| T: H Mori| OR: 103| D

28/1

Not seen since finishing tailed off in Japan Derby 20 months ago. Faces a stiff task on reappearance.

Form: 552160/

(10)

Golden Goal²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson| OR: 110| CD

40/1

C&D winner who notched his sixth win here January. 7¾ lengths eighth of 11 to Desert Wisdom in Burj Nahaar at this C&D (9/2) 3 weeks ago, meeting some trouble early in straight.

Form: 5424-18

(12)

Great Scot^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Al Furaydi| T: A Mishriff| OR: 110| D

12/1

Flourished in Saudi Arabia since leaving Tom Dascombe, notching 3 wins from 4 runs last year. Ran close to his best when length second of 13 to Emblem Road in Group 1 King Faisal Cup at King Abdulaziz (8f) 70 days ago and he's not without hope.

Form: 1/1311-2

(5)

Mubakker²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Dane O'Neill| T: D Watson| OR: 111| C

15/2

Latest win here in January. 4/1, couldn't quite reproduce that form when 1½ lengths second of 11 to Desert Wisdom in Burj Nahaar at this C&D 3 weeks ago, covering significantly more ground than the winner. Likely to be in the mix.

Form: 10/31-12

(4)

Pogo²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 112| D

33/1

7/1, fared best of those who helped to set an overly strong pace when 4 lengths fifth of 14 to Songline in Group 3 Turf Sprint Cup at King Abdulaziz (6.7f, firm) 4 weeks ago. May make his presence felt.

Form: 56327-5

(3)

Secret Ambition^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: A Fresu| T: B Seemar| OR: 109| CD

8/1

4-time C&D winner. Two wins from 4 runs last year. 13½ lengths seventh of 14 to Emblem Road in Saudi Cup (66/1) at King Abdulaziz (9f) 4 weeks ago. Merits serious consideration.

Form: 2151-27

(9)

Snapper Sinclair^t⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Luis Saez| T: Steven Asmussen| OR: 115| D

66/1

Latest win at Kentucky Downs in September. 6 lengths sixth of 9 to Rated R Superstar in non-graded event (124/10) at Oaklawn (8f) 70 days ago. Looks up against it.

Form: 21265-6

(13)

Soliste Thunder^h1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: C Demuro| T: D Takayanagi| D

28/1

Two wins from 6 runs last year. Latest win at Tokyo in November. Good 3¼ lengths fourth of 16 to Cafe Pharoah in February Stakes at Tokyo (8f) 34 days ago. Drawn wide so tough to see him featuring.

Form: 2031-94

(7)

Storm Damage²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 108| D

4/1

Five wins from 7 runs in his career, latest when winning 16-runner minor event at Meydan (7f, good, 11/4) 3 weeks ago, swiftly settling matters and finishing full of running. Has cracking strike-rate and will give another good account switched to the dirt.

Form: 911-411

(14)

Tuz²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: B Seemar| OR: 105| CD

22/1

C&D winner here in December. 3/1, ran creditably though did show signs of temperament when 2¼ lengths third of 11 to Desert Wisdom in Burj Nahaar at this C&D 3 weeks ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 4301-33

Forecasts

Al Nefud (13/8), Storm Damage (4/1), Mubakker (15/2), Secret Ambition (8/1), Great Scot (12/1), Desert Wisdom (16/1), Bankit (18/1), Tuz (22/1), Algiers (25/1), Soliste Thunder (28/1), Full Flat (28/1), Pogo (33/1), Golden Goal (40/1), Snapper Sinclair (66/1), Bathrat Leon (80/1), Dubai Icon (80/1)

AL NEFUD has taken tremendously well to racing round here and, having found only a high-class rival too good attempting the hat-trick last time, he can get back to winning ways. Storm Damage has a cracking strike-rate and he looks sure to give another solid account if taking to this surface, with Mubakker and Secret Ambition completing the shortlist.