4.15pm Meydan Tips & Betting Preview 01/03/2018

IN SUMMARY: TOP SCORE was beaten by the draw last time when he was behind Oh This Is Us. Better berthed on this occasion, he should reverse those placings to land the money. Steady Pace should once more run into the places as he so often does without being good enough to win.

1 STEADY PACE – Strong campaign in 2017, placed in the Wokingham, Bunbury Cup and a Listed contest. He once more made the frame without winning last time out over six furlongs here so needs each way consideration once more but looks handicapped beyond a winning mark.

2 OH THIS IS US – Placed from a slightly lower mark in Meydan this time last year before heading home to narrowly miss out on landing an almighty punt in the Lincoln. Winner here in mid February, he is just three pounds higher here, boasts an each way shout.

3 KHAFOO SHEMENI – Twice a Listed winner over the stiff mile at Sandown, that has been his trip for a pair of solid efforts so far in 2018 here. The drop in trip isn’t an obvious plus, with a wide draw and a mark that looks stiff enough on the balance of his form, he is easy enough to oppose.

4 ERAGON – Triple Group 1 winner in Argentina in his youth, he has been well beaten away from there in both America and here at Meydan. A mark of 105 looks to massively overestimate what he is capable of. Very little to recommend him.

5 SALATEEN – Yet to rediscover his 2017 best in a pair of starts in Meydan so far this season. Behind a couple who re-oppose here last time, would require a huge step forward on that form if he is to win this.

6 FANTASTIC FOUR – Another Group 1 winner in South America, like Eragon, he has found life tougher away from there. Beaten a long way on his Meydan debut, this is a drop in class but still looks well beyond him on the form he showed there.

7 TOP SCORE – Excellent run when second to Oh This Is Us last time out, especially given that he had a poor draw. Much better berthed this time round and a couple of pounds better off, he can turn that form around. A Listed winner over course and distance in 2017, he is a big player.

8 ABOVE N BEYOND – Strong effort from the front when fourth in Oh This Is Us’ race here last time. Better still given that it was his first run since September 2016. This is a quick return however so the bounce factor has to be a concern.

9 TUPI – Solid runs at Group 1 level in Europe last season, third in the Maurice De Gheest the pick of his efforts. A long way below that in a pair of starts here this year, he doesn’t look a natural improver for the step back up to this trip.

10 VAN DER DECKEN – Smart juvenile, he has had his issues but was sent off favourite for the Oh This Is Us race here last time. Will have to produce more if he is to turn that form round with the pair who finished in front of him, but needs each way respect.

11 THE GRAPE ESCAPE – Struggled in handicaps so far in 2018 in Meydan, a long way short of his Sandown best from last season. A mile is more his trip so others make far more appeal than him on this occasion.

12 MANAHIR – Pulled too hard over a mile here of late, it looks a smart move to step him down in trip. Solid effort when just behind Khafoo Shemani last time, this trip should allow him to reverse those places but would need a career best if he is to win this.

13 SILVER LINE – Course and distance form last time when behind Oh This Is Us was his best run since his juvenile days. Got going too late in the day there so needs to be sharper earlier in the piece, but he has progression for more in the tank.