12:45 Jebel Ali

Saturday 18 January 2025

All09:4510:1510:4511:1511:4512:1512:45

Race 7 - Vertex Handicap

Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: -

(1)

Mersaal²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: D Tudhope| T: M Mheiri| C

8/1

Course winner. 25/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, first run since leaving Michael Costa when below form fifth of 13 in handicap at this course (7f) 21 days ago. Up in trip but drops in grade.

Form: 04315/5-

(8)

Azan

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson

6/1

Third in domestic Group 1 at Nal'chik on final start for S. S. Yuhigov. Off 134 days. Has joined powerful yard but market best guide on UAE debut.

Form:

(7)

Rebaatt¹⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Coen| T: M Costa

4/1

Two wins from 5 runs last year. Eighth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (10f, good, 10/1). Off 6 months. First run for yard after leaving William Haggas and booking of Coen a plus. Interesting new recruit to UAE.

Form: 5/62118-

(10)

Wessall¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R Dawson| T: M Costa| CD

11/1

C&D winner. 7/2, creditable 5½ lengths fourth of 11 to Dubai Welcome in handicap at this course (9.7f) 12 days ago.

Form: 1/8354-4

(4)

Arabian Tale¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| D

4/1

Length second of 11 to Dubai Welcome in handicap (16/1) at this course (9.7f) 12 days ago.

Form: 12005-2

(9)

Cosmic Desert^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: Ahmad Bin Harmash| C

10/1

Course winner. 17/2, respectable 5 lengths third of 11 to Dubai Welcome in handicap at this course (9.7f) 12 days ago. Respected.

Form: 34775-3

(5)

Waqet⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: M Baidhaei| CD

6/1

Two wins from 5 runs last year. First run since leaving M. Al Mheiri when 10/1, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at this course (9.7f) 49 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 2/10901-

(3)

Dubai Welcome¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Q Al Busaidi| T: M Mahrooqi| C

8/1

Won 11-runner handicap at this course (9.7f, 33/1) 12 days ago by length from Arabian Tale.

Form: 958/59-1

(2)

Lajooje²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: A de Vries| T: M Costa

16/1

Tenth of 13 in handicap at this course (7f, 20/1) 21 days ago. Up in trip. Bit to prove at present.

Form: 1/60440-

(11)

Nova Roma¹³⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Bernardo Pinheiro| T: S Ghadayer

33/1

Thirteenth of 16 in handicap (18/1) at Meydan (9.9f, good). Off over 3 years and makes only limited appeal.

Form: 504900/

(6)

Fall Of Rome⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Andrew Slattery| T: B Seemar

17/2

Last of 10 in handicap at Sharjah (9.9f) 6 days ago.

Form: 22192-0

Non-Runners

(11)

Tapitution⁷⁷¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 8

T: B Seemar J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Arabian Tale (4/1), Rebaatt (4/1), Azan (6/1), Waqet (6/1), Mersaal (8/1), Dubai Welcome (8/1), Fall Of Rome (17/2), Cosmic Desert (10/1), Wessall (11/1), Lajooje (16/1), Nova Roma (33/1)

REBAATT is marginally preferred in this trappy finale. Cosmic Desert can prove the sternest opposition, while Waqet is in the running for a share of the minor money.