2.20pm Meydan Tips & Betting Preview 03/03/2018

IN SUMMARY : Ejaaby will be popular after back to back wins however this step up to a mile asks a question of him and he is up a further 5 pounds. A chance is taken on HYDE PARK who shaped better than the form suggests on his debut for this yard and that run should have put him spot on for today’s race.

1 THEGREATCOLLECTION – Makes his Turf debut today and dropping back into more realistic company after contesting some competitive Handicaps recently. Winner here over 7f on Dirt in November he is now 4 pounds higher. This drop back to a mile should suit but drawn in Stall 14 which is a big concern. 

2 HYDE PARK – Bought for 210,000 guineas out of John Gosden’s yard at the November sales. Made his debut for this yard here over 7f last month in a competitive handicap. Showed up well from a wide draw and not beaten far into 10^th especially as he covered a lot of ground. Stands a good chance here with that run under his belt. 

3 AZRAFF – Did not seem to take to the Dirt and back on Turf he was a good 5^th over 1m2f here in January. Not beaten far when 9^th last month over 1m1f here and now 2 pounds lower than that run. Well drawn in Stall 4 here but probably has a bit to find with the best of these on his bare form.

4 MAILSHOT – Well beaten on Dirt debut but bounced right back to form back on Turf when winning in January over today’s course and distance. Failed to back that up when only 9^th the time after but bounced back to form again last month when 3^rd over 1m1f here. Stall 13 not ideal but return to a mile should suit.

5 MIND THAT BOY – Ran much better returning to Turf last month when 5^th beaten just over 3 lengths by Ejaaby over 7f. Now 6 pounds better off with that rival so legitimate claims for reversing that form. Has an inconsistent profile so not guaranteed to back that performance up and this step up to a mile asks further questions.

6 STUNNED – Has now finished 3^rd on 4 consecutive occasions on Dirt with the last 3 of them races here. Steps back up to a mile and now races on Turf here for the first time but his better efforts have been over 7f. Has a bit to prove now against some inform rivals but Pat Dobbs gets on well with him.

7 EJAABY – Another who didn’t seem to take to the Dirt on his debut but is now 2-2 here on Turf. Stayed on strongly over 6f to win and then stepped up to 7f and on a 4 pounds higher mark again stayed on well to lead near the line. Up a further 5 pounds today and this step up to a mile asks a question but clearly in good form. 

8 MUSAWAAT – Seemed to handle the Dirt track here very well over 7f last month when 2^nd beaten just a head. The front two pulled a long way clear of the remainder and he travelled further than the winner so can count himself slightly unlucky. Up 5 pounds for that effort and now returns to Turf but claims if backing that run up.

9 MUZDAWAJ – Almost pulled off a shock 40/1 win on his return from a break last month here over 1m1f but was headed close to the line. 2^nd again back over that same course and distance later that month. Up a further pound for that effort but this drop back in trip will suit and he deserves to go one better at some stage.

10 PUPIL – Travelled well into his race over 1m1f here last month but was hampered and could not find a change of gear when getting a gap. This step back in trip should suit based on that run and he is now 2 pounds better off with Muzdawaj for a 3 lengths defeat so definite claims for reversing that form.

11 SHARP DEFENCE – Stayed on to get 6^th last month when 5 lengths behind Ejaaby over 7f here. 6 pounds weights swing with that rivals however inconsistent profile make him no certainty to back that up and his best form has been over 7f. Others have stronger claims.

12 BILLINGSGATE – Easy winner at Abu Dhabi in January but not as good back here over 7f last time. His best form has come at Abu Dhabi and has generally struggled here over Turf and on Dirt. Was put up 8 pounds for that Abu Dhabi win and that may be enough to stop him for the time being.

13 PILLAR OF SOCIETY – Headed near the finish when 2^nd to Ejaaby last month but failed to back that effort up in weaker company over 1m1f back here later that month. Drop back to a mile should suit here but this is a stronger race and needs to improve on what he has shown so far to beat these.

14 PROLOGUE – Beaten over 13 lengths into 5^th over 7f at Jebel Ali last month. Has the plum draw here in stall 1 but very difficult to make a case for on his return to turf with others in much better form at the moment.

R15 MUJEEB – Beautifully bred 4-year old who was beaten just over 2 lengths by Group 1 winner Al Wukair when trained in France. Returning from a break and making his debut from this yard last month but was never in the race and finished 12^th over 1m1f here. Needs to improve significantly on that form to feature.

R16 ARMY BULLETIN – Had some top class French form when trained by Andre Fabre but has struggled since returning from a long absence. Beaten over 6 lengths into 9^th behind Baroot over 1m1f here last month it is unlikely he will be challenging these if getting in this race.

R17 AZMAAM – Finished 3^rd behind Baroot over 1m1f here last month. Stayed on strongly that day so this step back to a mile not guaranteed to help. Would need some help to get into this race today but not badly handicapped if getting a run so not one to rule out.

R18 TAFAAKHOR – 8^th behind Baroot over 1m1f here before finishing well beaten over 7f on Dirt here just 9-days ago. Return to turf should help and this is probably his optimum trip however has plenty to find on the figures with the best of these if getting a run.