Best bets for the horse racing Thursday 21st January 2021 - Dubai World Cup Carnival

Dubai World Cup Carnival Meydan Thursday 21st January

Despite a few Thursday night meetings already we are now officially at the start of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan this Thursday. No messing about we have a seven-race card with four Group races to enjoy a couple of Listed heats and a handicap. It's a busy afternoon at Triple G Towers as I fancy five and I have backed them all overnight in the hope the prices will get smashed! Bring on the Dubai World Cup Carnival. 

I am steering clear of the 2.30 and the 3.05 Listed 1m4f Dubai Racing Club Classic is also a tricky affair in which I can make a case for several and will leave that alone as well.  

First of the Group races is the Group Three 6f Dubawi Stakes Sponsored By Park Avenue By Azizi at 3.40 on the Dirt. The three-year-old from Brazil Upper Class is an interesting runner getting weight but truth be told I have no idea the quality of the horses he has been beating at Maronas Good Effort has been improving leaps and bounds and has a chance if going on the surface having won well at Lingfield last time. His front running style might set it up for one of the others though. Gladiator King is top rated and has two recent C&D wins to his name. The chestnut five-year-old loves to track them and attack off the home turn and should be the one to stalk Good Effort before swooping late. He looks a solid bet in this, as his price confirms, and has been backed at 11-10 which is short but I wouldn’t offer you 2’s!

At 4.15 we have the 1m1f Group Two Singspiel Stakes Sponsored By Riviera By Azizi on the Turf and one of the Triple G Dirty Dozen runs. Military March was in my twelve to follow last season and was being considered as a Derby punt but ran just once in the 2,000 Guineas when fourth. I am convinced he can win some big prizes this year, hence he is in the Dirty Dozen again, and should start doing so by winning this. I have the 9-4 early with Hills which I took happily as I was expecting him to be shorter.  Saeed bin Suroor said: “Military March will be making his first start since the 2,000 Guineas but he is in good form and has been working nicely. We are starting him off over nine furlongs on the turf to see how he gets on and he has been doing well at home." I think I have tipped all the Godolphin runners that line-up and one time or another and all have chances whilst Lord Glitters may pick up some place money.

Back to the Dirt track at 4.50 for the Group Two one-mile Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Sponsored By Mina By Azizi. Meydan regular Capezzano caught the eye initially earlier this week being top rated but he was beat fair and square in a Listed heat last time and is best watched for now as he aint the horse he was at five. Another regular here that always seems to run a good race is Military Law who you might remember for being in the car of John Gosden a couple of years back. He has put in some consistent and decent efforts since moving including when second to Benbatl in R.2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge last February. He does appear to be holding his form and for that reason is the pick at 7-2 to gain a well deserved victory.  

It’s the Turf track again at 5.25 for the Group Two 7f Al Fahidi Fort Sponsored By Creek Views By Azizi. D’bai won this in 2019, I tipped him at 4-1, and even at the ripe old age of seven has a cracking chance to win it again. This is his trip and though closely matched with Glorious Journey and Final Song, got blocked when making his move when third at Newbury behind those two, I am sure he can run a big race and gain some revenge, the old boy is the selection at 4-1. It is a competitive affair with the two aforementioned most feared. 

The lucky last is the 5f Dubai Dash Sponsored By Aura By Azizi Listed Handicap on the Turf at 6.00. Another Dirty Dozen member is out in the shape of Lazuli. The four-year-old was put away after winning the G.3 World Trophy over five furlongs at Newbury in September, won in a course record time, with Appleby being quite clear he would be aimed at a winter campaign Dubai. William Buick expects him to improve and all being well he can show his well-being here and get his four-year-old campaign off to a winning start. I have the 15-8.  

Be lucky