15:20 Meydan

Saturday 26 March 2022

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

Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1) (Turf)

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 1m 45.77s

(6)

Alfareeq²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M Al Mheiri| OR: 110| CD

33/1

16/1, career best when winning 14-runner Jebel Hatta over C&D (good) 21 days ago by 1¼ lengths from Finest Sound. Another improved effort will be required if he's to follow up in this.

Form: 211-521

(13)

Colonel Liam⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Irad Ortiz Jr| T: Todd Pletcher| OR: 119| D

18/1

Very smart horse. 16/10, didn't need to improve to win 12-runner Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream (9f, firm) 56 days ago by length from Never Surprised. Interesting contender.

Form: 1/1118-1

(1)

Desert Fire^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 113| CD

66/1

C&D Group 2 winner in cheekpieces on reappearance. No cheekpieces and stamina likely stretched by 15f when below par in Saudi since. Headgear back on now.

Form: 5032-18

(15)

Haqeeqy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A de Vries| T: J Hyde| OR: 109

80/1

Won Lincoln at Doncaster a year ago. Successful start for new yard in Abu Dhabi listed in February but not in the same form when down the field in a conditions race here since. Others preferred.

Form: 1405-10

(3)

Harrovian^b,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112

66/1

Smart performer who was a good 1¾ lengths fourth of 14 to Authority in Group 3 Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz (10.4f, firm, 16/1) 28 days ago. Represents the same connections as Lord North.

Form: 23162-4

(9)

Lord North²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| BF| CD

7/2

Came with a strong run from off the pace to win this in good style 12 months ago. Not seen again until second in Winter Derby at Lingfield last month. That should have put him spot on for this. Much respected.

Form: 1304/1-2

(5)

Mohaafeth²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 112

11/2

Rapid improver when completing a 4-timer at the start of last season, culminating with Royal Ascot Group 3 success. Performed creditably in defeat at York in 2 subsequent runs. Appeals as one who could improve again at 4.

Form: 111134-

(2)

My Oberon^p,t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| D

40/1

Group 3 winner in Britain last spring. Warmed up for this with a win in a 1m conditions event at Southwell (1m) in February. Cheekpieces refitted. One of 2 runners for his stable.

Form: 73453-1

(12)

Panthalassa²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Y Yoshida| T: Y Yahagi| OR: 113| D

8/1

Winner of 3 of his last 4 starts in Japan, the latest a 16-runner Group 2 at Nakayama (9f, good to firm) 27 days ago by 2½ lengths from Karate. This demands a bit more.

Form: 27110-1

(4)

Schnell Meister¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C P Lemaire| T: T Tezuka| OR: 119| D

6/4

High-class Japanese colt who won in Group 1 company there last year and was excellent ¾-length second of 16 to Gran Alegria in Mile Championship at Hanshin (1m, good to firm) when last seen in November. Japanese have good record in this in recent years. Leading claims.

Form: 1/21312-

(16)

Sir Busker^v²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: W J Knight| OR: 107

33/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2020. 10/1, respectable 2¾ lengths fourth of 14 to Alfareeq in Jebel Hatta over C&D (good) 21 days ago. Uphill task from outside stall.

Form: 2430-84

(11)

Ursa Minor²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Dawson| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 90| CD

125/1

Course handicap winner in February. Excellent 1¾ lengths third of 14 to Alfareeq in Jebel Hatta over C&D (good) 21 days ago but much bigger performance will be needed to reach the frame again now.

Form: 36-5313

(10)

Vin De Garde^h¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: H Fujiwara| OR: 115| D

33/1

Smart horse. 102/1, good 2¾ lengths sixth of 11 to Golden Sixty in Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin (1m, good) in December. Suspicion he'll prove a bit vulnerable at this level.

Form: 6/42806-

(8)

Saffron Beach¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: H Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 115

15/2

Runner-up in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last May and enjoyed her finest hour back on the Rowley Mile in October, winning the Sun Chariot by 3 lengths from Mother Earth. Merits consideration.

Form: 228011-

Non-Runners

(14)

Finest Sound²¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: S & E Crisford J: Non Runner

(7)

Lord Glitters²¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 9

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Schnell Meister (6/4), Lord North (7/2), Mohaafeth (11/2), Saffron Beach (15/2), Panthalassa (8/1), Lord Glitters (14/1), Colonel Liam (18/1), Finest Sound (25/1), Vin De Garde (33/1), Sir Busker (33/1), Alfareeq (33/1), My Oberon (40/1), Desert Fire (66/1), Harrovian (66/1), Haqeeqy (80/1), Ursa Minor (125/1)

SCHNELL MEISTER produced a high-class performance at Hanshin last time and is taken to provide Japan with a fifth winner in this since 2016 and deny Lord North back-to-back successes. Saffron Beach, the sole filly in the line-up, Mohaafeth and Colonel Liam are others to consider in a strong renewal.