Dubai Carnival (Super Saturday ) 2nd March 2024

Super Saturday at Meydan, looks to be dominated by Charlie Appleby runners, with four odds on favourites , though there are couple other interesting races on the card .

Al Maktoum Classic Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £217,949 13 runners 1m1f110y Fast RTV

 

race conditions  £363,248 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £217,948.72 2nd  £72,649.57 3rd  £36,324.79 4th  £18,162.39 5th  £10,897.44 6th  £7,264.96

 

Not the strongest looking G2 contest on the dirt, with 11 runners declared for the most valuable race on the card .

 

The American trained  five-year-old CLAPTON should go well returning to G2 company , finished fair third to World Cup contender Kabirkhan last time in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, on his first start at Meydan , had previously shown some fair form in U.S.A last season, including winning G2 Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs, should come on for that first run of the season,looks well positioned in stall 3 with William Buick looking eyecatching booking .

 

Franz Strauss goes well here on dirt at Meydan (2211 ) including finishing creditable second in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge last time, yet to win outside handicap company, though is consistent sort .Each-way claims .

 

Nevershow Weakness has looked very progressive sort this season, landing hatrick at Meydan earlier this month, was impressive 5L winner of 10f handicap last time at Meydan off mark 96 .Went up 9lb for that victory.Takes step up in class here and will have to overcome poor draw in stall 12 .Not for me at the prices.

 

VERDICT : (1) CLAPTON (2) FRANZ STRAUSS (3) NEVERSHOW WEAKNESS 

 

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Ras Al Khor Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 3) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £179,487 16 runners 7f Good RTV

 

race conditions  £299,145 guaranteed For  3yo+ Penalty value  1st  £179,487.18 2nd  £59,829.06 3rd  £29,914.53 4th  £14,957.26 5th  £8,974.36 6th  £5,982.91 

 

Good turn out for this 7 furlong G3 contest on the turf, with 16 runners declared .

 

The Kevin Philippart De Foy 6-Y-0 Gelding VAFORTINO has been in good form at Meydan Carnival ,winning listed race in December over C&D ,though produced career best effort last time ,when finishing excellent 1L second in G2 Al Fahidi Fort behind Mysterious Night in fast time ,finishing strongly when not getting the best of runs .Will be suited dropping down to this G3 contest .Solid claims 

 

Noble Dynasty looks intresting for inform Charlie Appleby, had some fair form back in 2022 winning three races .including winning two handicaps at Newmarket, though will be returning from 15 month absence.Has to be respected ,though looks very short in market for horse taking step up in class .

 

Of the others Marbaan looks best of the rest, on the pick of his form, including finishing creditable second in G2 Zabeel Mile behind San Donato in January , the drop back to 7 furlong should suit .Each-way claims .

 

VERDICT : (1) VAFORTINO (2) MARBAAN (3) NOBLE DYNASTY  

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RECOMMENDED BETS MEYDAN SUPER SATURDAY 2ND MARCH 2024

 

CLAPTON 2.25 G2 AL MAKTOUM CLASSIC 

2PTS WIN @ 5-2 BET365 

(THIRD SP 7-4 LOSS £200/2.00PTS)

VAFORTINO (NAP ) 3.10 G3 RAS AL KHOR 

2PTS WIN @ 3-1 PADDY POWER & BETFAIRSPORTSBOOK 

(UNPLACED SP 13-8 LOSS £200/2.00PTS )

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0.50 PT WIN DOUBLE @ 11.25-1 BET365 (5-2 & 5-2 )

(THIRD & UNPLACED ) LOSS £50.00/0.50 PTS