Super Saturday at Meydan

an excellent card at Meydan today features major trials for the Dubai World Cup Day in 3 weeks time. Two of today´s races have been upgraded to Group One status and are major events themselves. The Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 3) over 10 furlongs on tapeta at 17.40 CET is a trial for the World Cup and there is a very strong Godolphin challenge here with 5 runeers, of which Prince Bishop (Frankie Dettori) and Mendip (Kieren Fallon) would appear to have the best chances. However Bold Silvano (Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon), if back to his best, can beat the lot of them.
The Jebel Hatta is run on turf at 17.40 and is a trial for the Duty Free, won by Presvis (Luca Cumani/ Ryan Moore) last year. However he is a tricky customer, who needs to come late off a very strong pace, and we think 2011 winner Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) or City Style (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikal Barzalona) could prove better today.
German-owned War Artist, trained in Germany last year, is now with Mike de Kock and runs in the 5 furlongs sprint of turf at 15.15 with Kevin Shea on board. This is a very strong field, but at his best he could win here. Prohibit (Robert Cowell/ Jim Crowley) is the obvious danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Seraphin du Paon - Sahib Du Clos - Nieshan
2. Race: Kinglet - Counterglow - Mickdaam
3. Race: Hitchens - Krypton Factor - Iver Bridge Lad
4. Race: Nocturnal Affair - Monsieur Joe - Inxile
5. Race: Musir - Gitano Hernando - African Story
6. Race: Viscount Nelson - Zanzamar - Indian Days
7. Race: Mendip - Haatheq - Monterosso
8. Race: Rio De La Plata - Presvis - Mutahadee