Super Thursday at Meydan

Today is the penultimate day of the Dubai International Racing Festival, and has easily the strongest card so far, with many of the races dress rehearsals for the big events to be held here on World Cup Day on March 26th. The card opens with a Group One race for purebred Arabians at 15.25 CET, which could well go again to last year´s winner No Risk al Maury (Gill Duffield/ Richard Hills), but the main interest will be on the following 7 races for thoroughbreds. From the German point of view, the most interesting event is the Group Three Mahab al Shimaal over 6 furlongs on tapeta at 17.20, in which Indomito (Pavel Vovcenko/ Wayne Smith) is declared to run. Indomito has already run twice at the meeting; following a good fourth first time, he was very disappointing on his second start. Our original thought was that he would no chance in this better race, but having another look, we now feel that he holds each-way prospects in what is, by Dubai standards, a weak Group Three. Gl obal City (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) looks his most dangerous opponent; he won twice over this CD at the 2010 meeting.

The best race today is the Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge (round three) over ten furlongs on tapeta at 19.30, a major trial for the Dubai World Cup. Even without Bold Silvano, who has a bruised foot, Mike de Kock could saddle the winner in the smart Musir (Christophe Soumillon), who has an excellent record here. Henry Cecil runs Twice Over (Tom Queally), who was a disappointment at this track last year, but the vibes from the stable are more positive this time. Godolphin have 4 runners, of whom Debussy (Mahmood al Zarooni/ William Buick) and Prince Bishop (Saeed/ Frankie) look the best, while Gitano Hernando (Marco Botti/ Johnny Murtagh) would also have a chance on his best form. Ex-German Win for Sure (Xavier Nakkachdji/ Gregory Benoist) needs to improve considerably to have a chance in this company.

The same goes for Monterosso (Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona), beaten favourite in last year´s German Derby when trained by Mark Johnston, who runs in the Group Two City of Gold over 1 1/2 miles on turf at 18.30. Howeer this race looks very open. Best bets on the card in our opinion are Mendip (bin Suroor/ Dettori) in the Burj Nahaar (Group Three, one mile on tapeta at 17.55) and Presvis (Luca Cumani/ Ryan Moore) in the Jebel Hatta Stakes (Group Two, 9 furlongs on turf at 19.45).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Santhal (A) - No Risk Al Maury (A) - Periander (A)
2. Race: Reem - Bridgefield - Abjer
3. Race: Prohibit - Rock Jock - Invincible Ash
4. Race: Alazeyab - Bank Merger - Bankable
5. Race: Cat Junior - Mendip - Crowded House
6. Race: Marinous - Interaction - Calvados Blues
7. Race: Musir - Prince Bishop - Gitano Hernando
8. Race: Steele Tango - Presvis - Al Shemali