14:05 Meydan

Friday 10 January 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Race 2 - National Industrial Park (NIP) Handicap

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 1m 22.68s

(11)

Haasim^p,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: D Tudhope| T: M Mheiri| D

10/1

7f maiden winner who is compiling a most consistent record, running best race to date in first-time cheekpieces when second of 13 in handicap at Jebel Ali (7f) 13 days ago. Definite possibilities back on turf.

Form: 333222-

(14)

Tafreej³⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: A Badwawi

10/1

6/1 and blinkered for 1st time, first run since leaving William Haggas when last of 9 in handicap on the dirt track here (7f) 12 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running back from another absence.

Form: 41442/9-

(9)

Emperor's Star⁴⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: R Mullen| T: C Appleby| BF| D

16/1

Progressive juvenile, off the mark in a big-field Chelmsford novice (7f) before finishing a respectable fifth of 6 in nursery at York (7f, soft) in September 2023. Gelded ahead of this belated return to action but yard may hold stronger claims with Creative Story.

Form: 2515/

(2)

Story Of Light^t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: A Bin Harmash

18/1

25/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, ran well after 9 months off when fifth of 13 in handicap at this course (6f, good) 7 days ago. Each-way possibilities with a repeat back up in trip.

Form: 53086-5

(7)

The Camden Colt^t1²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar

8/1

Useful handicapper who ran well when placed in pair of 1m handicaps at Newmarket (1m) during the spring. Below best in Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m) in June but he's not discounted now starting out for new yard after 6 months off.

Form: 052/230-

(15)

Eye On The Prize⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: M Barzalona| T: J Olascoaga| D

40/1

3-time winner at up to 7.5f. 13/2, tenth of 14 in handicap at Abu Dhabi (8f, good) 56 days ago. More needed in this stronger affair.

Form: 225120-

(3)

Molaqab³¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Coen| T: M Costa| D

5/1

Creditable fifth of 14 in handicap at Abu Dhabi (1m, good) in February. Remains lightly raced for his age and good showing not ruled out back from 10 months off.

Form: 316/284-

(13)

Creative Story²³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| BF

6/4

4-y-o who laid solid foundations in trio of novice/maidens last year, very good third on qualifying run at Newmarket (1m) in May. Gelded ahead of return/handicap debut and feasible to think there's better to come. Shortlisted.

Form: 223-

(10)

Lenormand^t1⁴²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Q Al Busaidi| T: O Refai| BF

66/1

Thrice-raced winner. Third of 11 in novice at Wolverhampton (8.6f, 5/4). Off 14 months. First run for yard after leaving Charlie Appleby and work to do making handicap debut.

Form: 613/

(6)

Olympic Candle¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: S bin Suroor| BF| D

11/1

11/4, creditable second of 7 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) in September, doing too much too soon. Remains lightly raced and another who could yet have more to offer.

Form: 1/05422-

(4)

Magsood^t1¹⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Dawson| T: M Costa| D

14/1

Seventh of 9 in handicap (5/1) at Yarmouth (8f, good to firm). Off 6 months. First run for yard after leaving Roger Varian. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 312/557-

(12)

Expert Choice^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: J Olascoaga| D

28/1

Career best when winning 12-runner handicap () at Abu Dhabi (7f, good) 20 days ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 0/35661-

(16)

Mustajaab⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A Slattery| T: L Botti| D

25/1

Eighth of 11 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 13/2) in October, weakening final 1f. First run for yard after leaving William Muir & Chris Grassick and his record fresh is a positive.

Form: 007578-

(5)

Sadeedd¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Jules Mobian| T: A Al Mehairbi| D

50/1

10/1, first run since leaving Michael Costa when below form seventh of 13 in handicap at Jebel Ali (7f) 13 days ago. Could be sharper here given that came on the back of a lengthy absence.

Form: 93221/7-

Castlebar^t,b1³⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Sandro Paiva| T: M Al Shamsi| C

50/1

Course winner. 50/1, twelfth of 13 in handicap at this course (9f, good) in February, dropping away over 1f out. Absent since and this trip may be on the short side starting out for new yard. Reserve 1.

Form: 8000/00-

Non-Runners

(8)

City Of Kings⁶³³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: O Refai J: S Hitchcott

(1)

Dubai Treasure¹⁷⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: S bin Suroor J: A de Vries

Ajwad³¹⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 12

T: R Bouresly J: Reserve 2

Erasmo⁵⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: R Bouresly J: Reserve 3

El Bosnia⁵⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 8

T: G Arizkorreta Elosegui J: Reserve 4

Forecasts

Creative Story (6/4), Dubai Treasure (9/2), Molaqab (5/1), The Camden Colt (8/1), Haasim (10/1), Tafreej (10/1), Olympic Candle (11/1), Magsood (14/1), Emperor's Star (16/1), Story Of Light (18/1), Mustajaab (25/1), Expert Choice (28/1), Eye On The Prize (40/1), Sadeedd (50/1), Castlebar (50/1), Lenormand (66/1), City Of Kings (100/1)

CREATIVE STORY laid down solid foundations in a trio of maiden/novice events during the first half of last year and, gelded ahead of his return, he very much appeals as the type who could progress further now his attentions switch to handicaps. Haasim is compiling a very consistent profile, and he's feared back on turf, with Olympic Candle another to note for Godolphin. Expert Choice also makes some appeal.