Following the success of our previous review of an earlier days racing of the Carnival in Dubai where we advised just 2 bets and landing a nice winner with Dream Today at 16/1, we have reviewed the card for Thursday with 3 suggested bets a decent odds.
2,30 Meydan:
A competitive 5 furlong sprint to start the evening and the favourite Faatinah is taken on again by Hit The Bid, Orvar and Dutch Masterpiece, all of whom are now on better terms. At the revised weights Hit The Bid should certainly push Faatinah close and an improved run from Dutch Masterpiece looks on the cards as well, but one that appeals at the prices is Rebel Streak having his first run since leaving the Andrew Balding yard. He was a progressive 3yo last season, winning twice and ending his season with a fine 3rd behind Mr Lupton in a Group 3 at Newbury. Blinkers on for the first time he’s nicely weighted here on some form tied in with the 2nd Fav and looks over priced.
Advised Bet 2,30 Race: Rebel Streak (e/w) – 25/1 Paddy Power & Betfair, generally 20/1
Result: 5th – Having shown early pace, he faded into 5th running a fair race.
3,05 Meydan:
Estihdaaf is one we suggested could run well last time when racing on the turf here 2 weeks ago, where we were keen to see him race on dirt. Well he gets that chance now and steps up in trip which should also suit. Very much bred for the surface, we’re happy to forgive him his last effort and be with him again here.
Advised Bet 3,05 Race: Estihdaaf (e/w) – 8/1 Skybet & William Hill, generally 7/1
Result: 2nd 4/1 – Well backed into 4/1, he ran a much improved race n the dirt as suggested. Having just been tapped for toe by the winner, he finished strongly and just could catch the winner, finishing a very good 2nd with a long way back to the 3rd.
3,40 Meydan:
A decent looking group 2 event dominated by the Godolphin runners with 6 of the 9 runners. Blair House returns from Australia and having previously won a Grp 1 level sets the standard. Dream Castle was very impressive last time and is likely to confirm form from 3 weeks ago, whilst First Contact is the potential improver for us. It’s more of a watching race for us, so no suggested bet advised.
The 4,15 race on dirt make no appeal and the 4,50 is a puzzle we won’t be trying to solve.
5,25 Meydan:
Whilst Bin Battuta holds obvious claims up 4lbs for his victory last time, where the 2nd has come out and won since, he’s very skinny in the betting, so we’re happy to take him on. The one that does appeal against him is Dubhe from the Charlie Appleby yard. Lightly raced having run only 5 times, he looked a really nice prospect when stepping up to this trip on his only start last season. He’s clearly fragile but the form of that run, in beating Communique who improved 20lbs through the season and the impression he made on the day suggest he’s potentially very useful and worth an interest here.
Advised Bet 5,25 Race: Dubhe (e/w) – generally 5/1
Result: Unplaced – Ran below expectation and given an easy ride once his chance had gone.