Dubai Racing Carnival

The Meydan meeting continues with another strong card today, with the UAE 2,000 Guineas at 18.30 CET the main feature. Logically this should go to Musir (Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon) who won the main trial easily from Frozen Power (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori). As the Godolphin runner is now worse off at the weights, it will be a a surprise if he can reverse the form.

The other big race here is the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over 9 1/2 furlongs at 19.05. This looks very open indeed. Saeed bin Suroor saddles 3 runners here, and it could be significant that Frankie Dettori rides the $ 9.7.million yearling Jalil, who has not run since the last carnival (at Nad al Sheba). However on recent form Allybar (Ahmed Ajtebi) can be preferred, while Crowded House (Brian Meehan/ Jamie Spencer), Perfect Stride (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) and Jet Express (Al Raihe/ Royston Ffrench), who has won his last 4 races, all at Jebel Ali, must also be considered.

The only German runner today is Titurel (Manfred Hofer/ Kieren Fallon), who runs in the 1 mile 3 furlongs handicap at 16.40. He ran an excellent race here last time, when just touched off over 1 3/4 miles, and today´s trip on tapeta may be a little on the short side. A Godolphin horse beat him last time, and this could happen again, with Emirates Champion (bin Suroor/ Dettori) our selection.

The meeting continues tomorrow when there are 3 more German-trained runners.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Vire Volte - Nirwan - Amoking
2. Race: Judd Street - Good Control - Frosty Secret
3. Race: Titurel - Emirates Champion - Hot Six
4. Race: Leahurst - Aranel - Star Crowned
5. Race: Dohasa - Sirocco Breeze - Emmrooz
6. Race: Musir - Frozen Power - Maroon Machine
7. Race: Jalil - Snaafy - Calvados Blues
8. Race: Sovereign Remedy - Perfectly - Blues Ballad