Zabeel Mile Tips & Betting Preview

IN SUMMARY: CHAMPIONSHIP won this race last year, his last run can easily be ignored as he returned home with a cut leg and scoped abnormally. He beat Noah From Goa in this race last year and the same pair can fight out the finish once more. Janoobi got a soft time of things on the front end when last seen, his best chance will hinge on that once more, while Dream Castle is yet to prove he truly stays a mile but may make the frame.

1 GM HOPKINS – Smart handicapper at his best but without a win since April 2016, a long stretch for one of his ability. He won a Listed contest on that occasion, but a single run in a Group race suggests that he has a lot to do to play more than a very minor role.

2 TREASURY NOTES – Rapidly progressive for his previous yard in the summer of 2016, he massively outran his price in a handicap last week to finish second. It has to be taken on trust that he is capable of running to that level again so quickly and that wouldn’t be enough in any case.

3 NOAH FROM GOA – Only sent off 3/1 when running in a similar contest to this earlier in the month, not in the same form as when placed in a seven furlong handicap previously. Runner-up in this contest in 2017, it’s surely been the target for connections again so a big display should be coming now back up in trip.

4 JANOOBI – Inconsistent type but bounced right back to his best under a canny front running ride from Jim Crowley last time. He was in front of four who re-oppose him here on that occasion with Crowley retaining the ride. Best chance if he can get a soft time of things on the front end once more.

5 HORNSBY – Improvement for this progressive type has just flattened out the last twice. He was behind rivals who he faces again here on both occasions which means he is going to need plenty more if he is to resume his winning form. Easily enough passed over.

6 BAY OF POETS – Only beaten three lengths in the French Derby last summer, he had to be dropped to Listed class to regain the winning thread. Quirky type ran well last time out in a Group 2 so he has an each way chance if he can repeat that.

7 ANOTHER TOUCH – Midfield in a pair of handicaps at Meydan so far in 2018, that is about as good as he is. Won a Listed race at Pontefract to close out his last campaign, but would need plenty more if he is to repeat the dose here.

8 DREAM CASTLE – Still only a maiden win to his name, but has held his own in smart Group company. Yet to fully convince that a mile is his trip, run down close home at 1/20 when trying it in Turkey last season and well turned over here last month. That has to be a major concern once more.

9 WHISKEY BARON – Rapid improvement in South Africa culminated in a Group 1 win in January 2017. Ran respectably at Newmarket in September at this level when not handling the undulations of the track. Back from another break now, he may need this run to blow away the cobwebs.

10 CHAMPIONSHIP – Very impressive winner in this contest in 2017, struggling badly on his return here earlier in the month. Entitled to come on for that effort, especially given a post race scope was abnormal. The step back up in trip will suit him, he has to be considered a big player.