MARCH 9: MILESEY’S MEYDAN TIPS

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RACES for the classic generation at the Meydan Carnival have once again failed to set the pulse racing this year and the Al Bastikiya at 1.05 is no different.

But one horse who should go well is Snowboarder who finished second to Soft Falling Rain last time. It’s fair to say he’s not the classiest in the line-up but he’s consistent and, more importantly, looks sure to stay this far which is a question mark that hangs over several of his rivals.

He is still to finish out of the first three in seven career outings and was the only one gaining on Soft Falling Rain in the UAE 2000 Guineas last time.

He was relatively unconsidered in the betting that day and there is a chance that could happen again with Mike de Kock having a couple of entries and Saeed bin Suroor the same but they all have something to prove and it could be a case of Snowboarder merely needing to replicate that last run to come out on top.

Moonwalk In Paris made an impressive start for Mahmood Al Zarooni when taking the Firebreak Stakes last time and can follow up in the Burj Nahaar at 3.25.

This will undoubtedly be a tougher test with the likes of Dullahan and African Story in there but it seems reasonable to assume they will need the outing ahead of bigger targets on World Cup night and Moonwalk In Paris can have pretensions to reach that level himself, looking every inch a Group 1 horse when beating Fulbright last time.

He has only once finished out of the first three throughout his career and should get the sound pace here that he clearly relished last time – Royal Ridge, Nawwaar, Unbridled Ocean and Red Jazz all potential pace angles.

Ahmed Ajtebi keeps the ride which could lead people into thinking Godolphin have more fancied runners in the race but Ajtebi was on board last time and it simply looks a case of him keeping the ride having done well on him previously.

Hard to know how the betting will go in the final race at 4.35 but it seems reasonable to assume Igugu will again be popular based on her reputation and it could be worth opposing her with Sharestan.

The selection did finish behind The Apache last time but met plenty of trouble that day, barely having a race, and could easily have finished ahead of The Apache had things panned out differently.

He had made a hugely encouraging debut for Godolphin prior to and is well worth another chance to build on that promise with the likely strong pace sure to be in his favour.

Meydan tips

Back Snowboarder in the 1.05
Back Moonwalk In Paris in the 3.25
Back Sharestan in the 4.35

Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan

Little Mike made up into a high-class performer last year, victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf the highlight of four wins. That form sets the standard and his run style suggests he will handle this surface.

Prince Bishop was an impressive winner on reappearance last year, though failed to replicate that form subsequently. Not disgraced when third to Hunter’s Light here last time but had the run of things and more needed.

Trailblazer is a very smart performer in Japan, looking better than ever when winning a Group 2 at Kyoto early in 2012. Ran every bit as well when fourth to Little Mike at Santa Anita after and not ruled out.

Hunter’s Light has an impressive strike rate, winning thre times last year, including a Group 1 in Italy. Better than ever when comfortably beating Surfer here last time but did get the run of things more than most.

Monterosso is lightly raced in recent years but top-class performer, winning the Dubai World Cup last year. Had needed his reappearance prior to that so no surprise if that is the case again here.

Surfer is a smart performer who won his first two starts this year and improved significantly when second to Hunter’s Light here last time. Flattered to a degree by that and more needed.

Daddy Long Legs won the UAE Derby last year and matched that form when fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Built on reappearance when fourth to Plantagenet last week but more needed again in this.

Treasure Beach is an Irish Derby winner in his time but failed to win for Aidan O’Brien last year, best effort when second to Point Of Entry in a Grade 1. May need further ideally and entitled to need the outing.

Jamr really thrived last year, winning three of his four starts. Not disgraced on occasions this campaign but has reached his limit in form-terms and shouldn’t be good enough to take this.

Mendip won the second round of the Maktoum Challenge last year but not as good in three starts since then, only fifth to Hunter’s Light in this year’s renewal. Place claims at best if returning to form.

Haatheq is a smart performer who built on a couple of placed efforts behind Barbecue Eddie to win twice at Jebel Ali. Far from disgraced when fourth to Moonwalk In Paris latest but more needed in this.

Kassiano is progressing really well, winning three of his four starts this year, impressively demolishing his field last week. This obviously a step up in grade but deserves to take his chance and could surprise.

Verdict: A race that deservedly has Group 1 status and a fitting field for a Dubai World Cup trial. The vote goes to Little Mike who was last seen winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf and tactically at least seems sure to be suited by this track. The improving Kassiano deserves his place in this field and can finish second ahead of Hunter’s Light.

Milesey

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