Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 34.71s

(2)

Mutasaabeq^b³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 115| CD

11/4

Signed off last season with an all-the-way success in this race and bright start to present campaign when landing a C&D Group 2 in May. Below par last 2 starts but dangerous to discount back at a course where he clearly excels (4-5 on the Rowley Mile) and given that he may be allowed a soft lead.

Form: 41-1507

(6)

Chindit⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 115| BF| D

10/3

Game when narrowly outpointing Mutasaabeq in the Summer Mile at Ascot last year and winner of 3 of his 6 starts this season, most recently a Sandown listed contest (1m, heavy) 9 days ago. Forecast quicker ground here will, if anything, be a plus and he's a big player.

Form: 126311

(1)

Maljoom⁴⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| D

9/2

Unraced at 2 yrs but quickly made up into a smart miler last season, scoring at Doncaster and Kempton before going on to land the German 2000 Guineas. Looked unlucky when a close fourth in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot last June and, though absent since, he remains a colt with potential.

Form: 1114-

(4)

Mighty Ulysses^p⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| CD

4/1

Winner of C&D novice and listed race on the other course here in 2022. All the better for his belated reappearance spin when, equipped with first-time cheekpieces, dead-heating in a Salisbury Group 3 (1m, good) with Regal Reality (3 lb pull) a close-up third last month. This is tougher.

Form: 2515-51

(3)

Regal Reality²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| D

16/1

Has won a Group 3 every year since 2018, including 6-runner Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June. Creditable efforts behind Mighty Ulysses and Chindit the last twice but will need to be better than ever if he's to go one better than he did when hitting the crossbar in this race in 2020.

Form: 15-4133

(5)

Epictetus³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| BF| D

5/1

Smart form at 2 yrs and perfect start to this season when landing the 1¼m Blue Riband Trial at Epsom. Drop back to this trip worked in his favour when scoring at Glorious Goodwood (soft) last month but came up short in the Celebration Mile there since and slower ground would probably be ideal.

Form: 155015

Forecasts

Mutasaabeq (11/4), Chindit (10/3), Mighty Ulysses (4/1), Maljoom (9/2), Epictetus (5/1), Regal Reality (16/1)

Everything looks in place for last year's winner MUTASAABEQ to stage a return to form. His record on the Rowley Mile is almost impeccable (sole defeat from five starts on this course came in the 2021 2000 Guineas) and this small-field scenario is perfect for him (form figures in fields comprising seven runners or fewer reads 1111232411). The bang in-form Chindit will offer stern resistance and he is next on the list ahead of the unexposed Maljoom, who will be a big threat if fully tuned-up.