Fashion Friday Preview Meydan Fri 24th Jan 2025

Fashion Friday at Meydan, with cracking card , featuring eight group races, including the feature race the G1 Jebel Hatta.

The Worlds highest earning racehorse Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior makes his middle east debut , taking on course record holder Measuring Time in what looks fascinating contest in Jebel Hatta .

UAE 2000 Guineas Presented By Longines (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo) Winner £91,304 16 runners 1m Fast RTV

 

race conditions  £152,174 guaranteed For  3yo Weight for age  3yo from 4yo 20lb Penalty value  1st  £91,304.35 2nd  £30,434.78 3rd  £15,217.39 4th  £7,608.70 5th  £4,565.22 6th  £3,043.48 

 

JBB RATINGS : (1) HEART OF HONOUR (96) (2) GOLDEN VEKOMA (93) (3) HAM PHRIK 

 

The Jamie Osborne trained HEART OF HONOUR comes out top on ratings, after winning both starts here at Meydan in impressive style , including winning conditions race over C&D earlier this month .The form of his previous race has worked out well, beating subsequent winner Golden Vekoma by over 10L .Will have to overcome tricky draw in stall 12 ,though shouldn't be big problem in this mile contest .Odds  2-1 look fair value in weak looking G3 contest.

 

Golden Vekoma looks the main danger, after winning UAE 2000 Guineas trial in good style last time .That looked decent effort in good time, looks open to further improvement returning to mile, though won't find it easy reversing previous form with Heart Of Honour .

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Al Maktoum Challenge Presented By Longines (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £480,000 12 runners 1m1f110y Fast RTV

 

race conditions  £800,000 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+; southern hemisphere 3yo Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 1lb Penalty value  1st  £480,000.00 2nd  £160,000.00 3rd  £80,000.00 4th  £40,000.00 5th  £24,000.00 6th  £16,000.00 

 

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) WALK THE STARS (122) (2) KABIRKHAN (120) (3) IMPERIAL EMPEROR (117)

 

Last years winner KABIRKHAN has to be respected on his return, was impressive winner of this race last year ,beating Franz Strauss by very easy 4.75 lenghs. though hasn't been seen since bombing out in Dubai World Cup 300 days ago when well beaten favourite for the race. Normally goes well fresh, though not for me at short price 

 

The ultra consistent WALK OF STARS should go well from the front, after producing career best effort last time at Meydan, winning the Entisar listed stakes by 11 lenghs, making all in good time (0.70 fast ) That was his first victory at Meydan, having finished second three times, including finishing good second in G2 Godolphin mile & G2 Al Maktoum Challenge.Takes step up in class, though this doesn't look the strongest G1dirt contest.Odds around 4-1 look solid each-way value .

The very useful French performer FACTEUR CHEVAL looks fascinating runner on his first start on dirt ,  top class performer on turf, including winning G1 Dubai Turf here last season and finishing good second in QE11 on Champions Day behind Charyn, though never easy switching to dirt .

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Al Khail Trophy Presented By Longines (Group 3) (Turf) (4yo+) Winner £91,304 10 runners 1m6f11y Good To Firm RTV

 

race conditions  £152,174 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere 4yo+ Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 3lb Penalty value  1st  £91,304.35 2nd  £30,434.78 3rd  £15,217.39 4th  £7,608.70 5th  £4,565.22 6th  £3,043.48

 

JBB RATINGS : (1) KING OF CONQUEST 119  (2) CAIUS CHORISTER (117) (3) TRAFALGAR SQUARE (116)

The Charlie Appleby trained KING OF CONQUEST finished promising second at Meydan earlier this month, staying on nicely in closing stages having been outpaced 3 furlongs out  .That looked fair effort on his first start of the season, had some decent form last season winning two listed races at Goodwood & Newmarket .Should come on for that first run of the season .Odds around 2/1 look fair price .

Of the others Caius Chorister has solid each-way claims on pick last seasons form , including finishing close second in both Sagaro Stakes & Henry 11 stakes

The ex French Performer Trafalgar Square also looks interesting runner on his first start for Bhupat Seemar , had some fair form in group company last season in France, including finishing good second in G2 Prix Chaudenay behind Illinois at Longchamp .

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RECOMMENDED BETS MEYDAN FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY 

HEART OF HONOUR 2.05 UAE 2000 GUINEAS 

2PTS WIN @ 2-1 SKYBET

(RESULT: 2ND SP 13-8 LOSS 2.00 PTS)

WALK OF STARS 4.25 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 SKYBET (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4)

(RESULT : WINNER SP 10-3 PROFIT +4.80 PTS )

KING OF CONQUEST 6.10 AL KHAIL TROPHY 

2PTS WIN @ 2-1 SKYBET 

(RESULT : SECOND SP 9-4 LOSS 2.00 PTS

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0.25PT EACH-WAY TREBLE @ 44-1 SKYBET (2-1)(4-1) (2-1)

(2ND .WON .2ND )PROFIT + 0.38 

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TOTAL : (STAKED 6.50 PTS) (RETURN 7.68 PTS ) (PROFIT +1.18 PTS )