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14:35 – Batwan (Mark Milligan)
Most of these runners in this 6-furlong handicap on turf are not in great form, so French raider BATWAN is my opening selection on Friday. This horse got the better of He’s A Balter here last month with that horse running well when fourth behind Lazuli in the Blue Point Sprint last week. Mickael Barzalona’s mount could be well treated off 99 in this handicap, so I think he’ll take all the beaten and start us off with a winner at Meydan.
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15:10 – Notre Dame (Mark Milligan NAP)
The Doug O’Neill team have been in good form and NOTRE DAME can improve from his UAE debut to win this 6-furlong handicap on dirt under Antonio Fresu. It looked like he needed the run when last to Meraas recently with race tactics and his racing style not used to good effect on that occasion. This horse has plenty of speed and from a good draw should take plenty of catching under Fresu to win.
15:45 – Star Safari (James Shortt NAP)
Charlie Appleby has won the last four renewals of the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes which included success with STAR SAFARI last season. The son of Sea The Stars has progressed nicely on his return to the UAE and looks set for back-to-back victories following a game win in the Zabeel Turf last month. William Buick took the brave man’s route up the rail to score going away on that occasion and he remains in the saddle on Friday.
Royal Fleet from the same yard with James Doyle in the saddle looks his biggest danger with the extra-furlong looking a positive following his two second place efforts here in recent months. Elsewhere, it will be interesting to see how Turkish raider Burgas runs on his UAE debut, but this should ultimately be decided by the cruising speed and powerful kick of Star Safari from off the pace under Buick.
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16:20 – New Kingdom & Sed Maarib (James Shortt Straight Forecast)
Surprisingly, the Jumeirah Derby offers more prizemoney as a conditions event than the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes earlier on the card and should be another winner for Godolphin. NEW KINGDOM should uphold the form with several of these rivals following the trial for this race won by Island Falcon last month. The benefit of a run and the extra-furlong will bring out better improvement from the Charlie Appleby trained runner to secure victory.
Pjerrot and Sed Maarib finished just behind New Kingdom in the trial for this race with Adrie de Vries’ mount looking best to chase home the Godolphin runner. SED MAARIB ran a creditable race behind Sovereign Prince afterwards and will appreciate the step-up in trip more than Bent Olsen’s runner in my opinion. Elsewhere, it will be interesting to see how Nations Pride runs on his UAE debut with Charlie Appleby’s runner racing here following back-to-backs wins in the UK.
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16:55 – Bright Start (Mark Milligan)
Despite his previous two disappointing runs of late, I like the chances of BRIGHT START in this closing 1-mile handicap for Saeed bin Suroor. If you look back to racing here last year, he was a very good second to Hypothetical which is solid form and can be forgiven for his seasonal reappearance here last month. He was never in the mix from the widest draw with jockey Louis Steward looking after him on that occasion. Frankie Dettori takes over this Friday and with that run under his belt, I expect a much improve effort with an excellent chance of victory.
Mark Milligan Double
James Shortt Double
Best bets at Meydan on Friday:
14:35 – Batwan (Mark Milligan)
15:10 – Notre Dame (Mark Milligan NAP)
15:45 – Star Safari (James Shortt NAP)
16:20 – New Kingdom & Sed Maarib (James Shortt Straight Forecast)
16:55 – Bright Start (Mark Milligan)
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