Best bets for the horse racing Friday 18th February Sakhir racecourse and the Dubai Carnival at Meydan

The post is full of middle-eastern promise today with racing from Sakhir and Meydan to get involved with – with storm Eunice battering the UK I'd rather be out there! There’s a number of odds-on shots at Meydan sadly that has somewhat ruined the card for betting purposes but there is still three bets to be had on Friday.  

Best bets for the horse racing at Sakhir racecourse in Bahrain  

They race at Sakhir and a couple of Godolphin ones I have tipped before are on show. They are both from the yard of Charlie Appleby and James Doyle is on the day trip across the Persian Gulf from Dubai to Bahrain – not bad work if you can get it!  

The first race of interest to me is at 12.15 the 7f Al Sakhir Cup Handicap. Silent Film is the horse on question, the four-year-old chestnut gelding being one I have talked of a few times in the past and he got off the mark for this campaign winning a handicap at Meydan in early January. He gets to race off the same mark of 94 here and as I think this one might be running at Pattern level as the season progresses, he should be well-in off that mark. Get on at 15-8.  

Straight after at 12.45 at 12.45 it’s the 1m2f Vision 2030 Cup Handicap with Tamborrada the one to be on here. The gelding was three from three until finally being beaten in the 1m2f London Gold Cup at Newbury in May. Not seen since he remains open to improvement as such a lightly raced four-year-old and I have the Evens early.  

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

A favourite of mine Silent Speech goes in the Al Wasl Stakes Presented By Marfa Deira Stakes over 6f at 2.35 but it odds-on and unbackable at the price. At 3.10 in the 1m1f UAE Oaks Presented By Jafza Group 3 Stakes Shahama is ridiculously long odds-on and the race is a no betting heat. Lazuli lines up over the minimum five furlongs at 3.45 in the Blue Point Sprint Presented By Jebel Ali Port Group 2 Stakes. I didn’t back him in the Listed 6f Dubai Sprint as I am convinced, he is all about speed at the minimum trip is his trip. He was a member of the Girdys Gee Gees Dirty Dozen last year but only ran four times so I opted to watch rather than bet last month. He ran a cracker to finish second over six and this track and trip should be ideal. His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “We were delighted with Lazuli’s first run of the year in the Dubai Sprint and he is dropping back to his best trip here. If he can come forward slightly for his seasonal return, it will make him a very live contender, while he also has a nice draw in stall nine.” Sadly, the Bookies have bottled it here as well and he is odds-on! At 4.20 in the 1m6f Nad Al Sheba Trophy Presented By Dp World Uae Group 3 Stakes unbeaten stayer Manobo looks to continue his perfect record for Charlie Appleby. The four-year-old posted four wins in Europe last season, culminating with a comfortable victory in the G2 Prix Chaudenay. Charlie Appleby said: “Manobo’s preparation has gone well and this is very much a stepping-stone towards Dubai World Cup Night. He had a lovely year as a three-year-old and we are looking forward to seeing him back in action.” Guess what, he is odds-on!  

There is one race you can bet in. I mentioned some time back now (on his first start as a three-year-old) that I thought Valiant Prince might turn out to be a bit special. He has had just the five starts in a bit of an on off career thus far but is now rated 100 as a four-year-old and looks to have a great chance in the mile Presented By Mina Rashid Handicap on the Turf at 4.55. He won over track and trip earlier this year before the Carnival officially started, and has risen in the ratings for it, but he may have more to come yet. He likes to be prominent which can prove a bonus in a big-field like this round here and though short enough at 11-8 he should be backed.  

Be lucky