Best bets for the horse racing at Meydan Friday 4th February – The Dubai Carnival

Friday night is Carnival night, as least out in Dubai where they race again at Meydan. It really has been a tricky Carnival thus far but at least now a certain amount of form is available and it isn’t such a guessing game as to what horses are in form early in the year. There are plenty of decent races again this week and I fancy two out there which I am on overnight.  

Here in the UK one from the notebook goes at Newcastle in the shape of Tyrrhenian Sea in the  MansionBet Proud Partners Of AWC Handicap at 6.15. My notes read ' Impressive at Newcastle on 4th Jan 2022 and might have the A/W Finals Mile Championship as his aim after that performance.' A win in this and that will surely be under serious consideration. 

Best bets for the horse racing at Meydan – The Dubai Carnival

They get underway at 2.00 our time with the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Presented By Longines Dolce Vita Pure Arabian Group 1; the first race I am involved in is the 3.45 on the Dirt the mile Firebreak Stakes Presented By Longines Conquest Group Three Stakes. Hypothetical ran some big races here last year not least when fourth in the G.1 Dubai World Cup; was also second in this and on the New Jaguar XF Handicap over track and trip. He ran a stinker in the G.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over track and trip three weeks ago but is clearly better than that and from stall two should lead this field a merry dance. I have the 100-30 overnight.  

The lucky last in the 1m1f Balanchine Presented By Longines Evidenza Group Two Stakes on Turf. I tipped Soft Whisper last month in the mile Group Two Cape Verdi and she finished last of the ten! I am not convinced she gets further than a mile either and I am leaving her alone in this. That decision was made easier as I really fancy Creative Flair. I have tipped her a number of times, including on her unsuccessful trip across the pond to America last back end. She has won over a furlong further than this, the form of her third in a G.3 at Chantilly is above average, and it wouldn't surprise me if she picks up a decent prize or two this season, hopefully beginning here. Get on at 7-4 which is what I have overnight.  

I wanted to back New Science in the Jumeirah Classic Presented By Longines Elegant Listed Stakes at 3.10 but he is no price and Hot Rod Charlie was on the radar for the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Presented By The Longines Record Group Two Stakes at 4.20 but is also odds-on. I tipped King Of Conquest on his two starts as a two-year-old, didn’t get involved here on New Year's Day, and he is a colt I have one eye on. He hasn’t progressed as I expected and is perhaps best watched for now and is left alone in the competitive Al Bastakiya Trial Presented By Longines Saintimier Conditions Stakes.  

Be lucky