Best bets for the Horse racing this weekend across the globe
Last weekend went relatively well for me, a couple of winners and a respectable if not considerable profit, sticking to the All-Weather and Flat races in far flung places. I am sticking to a similar theme this weekend, though I do have one bet over the sticks here in the UK in the six selections on what will be a fairly busy afternoon.
Best bets for the Horse racing at Meydan
We have reached Super Saturday at the Dubai Carnival meeting at Meydan with some big prizes up for grabs and unsurprisingly a few familiar names on the card looking to snaffle their share. It’s an afternoon card our time and I am getting involved in a few of the races. They get underway at 12.05 with the Group Two 1m4f Dubai City Of Gold on the Turf course. Rebels Romance was due to make his seasonal debut in this, and would surely have been odds-on, but doesn’t line-up having been found to have inflammation in a foreleg; it’s a shame we won’t see him but at least it makes the race a betting proposition. Godolphin still holds a very strong hand and their runners are all shortlisted. James Doyle is booked to be on Kemari, and keeps the ride despite Buick losing Rebels (he is now on Global Storm). Kemari is a frustrating sort that runs well often but hasn’t actually won since the Royal Meeting in 2021! He could nick it but I can’t back him. Global Heat was behind Kemari when the pair were fourth and sixth respectively in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and I see no real reason that he can reverse that form. That brings me to Global Storm who was third in this race last year behind Hukum. The six-year-old has gone well fresh in the past more than once, has a C&D win to his name, and now has Buick doing the steering. A big run might be on the cards and I noted Charlie Appleby saying this week “This will be Global Storm’s first outing since September but he has been doing plenty of work at home. He doesn’t look out of place in the field judged on his best form and we are hoping he can be competitive.” I have taken a chance at 4-1 overnight with Power on Friday afternoon.
At 1.15 we have the Group Three 6f Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint. Al Dasim looks to have the race at his mercy and George Boughey can grab a nice prize with his charge. Twice a winner over track and trip at the meeting already he gets 10lb from his rivals despite being one of the top rated lining-up. The concern is he breaks from stall two, historically a higher draw here is of benefit, but both his wins came from low draws so hopefully he can stalk them early again before bursting clear in the final furlong. I am on at 11-10 BPG this morning.
Old friend to Triple G Al Suhail won the G.2 7f Al Fahidi Fort on the Turf track back in January and looks to have an outstanding chance in the Ras Al Khor (Conditions) over track and trip at 3.10. The form of the run back in January looks solid, a number of those behind have been running well throughout the Carnival, and he looks almost banker material to me. Again I took a chance overnight with Power as they looked too big at the 11-8. Charlie Appleby said: “Al Suhail is in great form and has a nice draw in stall two. He was impressive in the Al Fahidi Fort and a repeat of that effort will make him the one to beat.” I couldn't agree more.
Saeed Bin Suroor’s Real World will run for the first time since last summer when he lines up in the Group One Jebel Hatta over 1m1f at 3.45. Gelded since we last saw him finishing second to Baaeed in the G.1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile he has an obvious chance but has been out of action for a long time. I noted the trainer saying in the week that the Dubai Turf at the Dubai World Cup meeting later this month is the main aim and that he will be only 80-85% fit for this with that target in mind. I Also can’t help but wonder if his rating is a little flattering due to the fact he chased home Baaeed twice last year. Master Of The Seas and Valiant Prince are two I have tipped before and Master Of The Seas was the winner of the G.2 Zabeel Mile in January on his return to action after a lengthy layoff. I said then it is interesting that team Godolphin are persevering with the five-year-old gelding despite his injuries and though he was odds-on and unbackable that night I said I would be watching with Dubai World Cup night and Super Saturday in mind - this was the next target. Well here we are and with improvement likely after that run and potential chinks in the armour of Real World I am on at 6-4 BPG. Valiant Prince has a horrid draw but could be in the shake-up if he can get a decent run.
Best bets for the Horse racing at Kelso
My old mate Matty and I thought we had perhaps spotted one for the two-mile bet365 Morebattle Hurdle due off at 1.50 in the shape of McTigue whilst we spoke over a beer last Saturday; trainer Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne looking to targeting the £100,000 bonus at the Festival again. Well bugger me if the Racing Post doesn't go and run an article about the horse on Sunday and let the world and their wife know! I suppose it was hardly a secret but thank you Conor Fennelly! Anyhow he looks the bet to me and I am on this morning at 9-2 BPG.
Best bets for the Horse racing at Lingfield
The main race in Surrey is the 7f Listed talkSPORT Spring Cup Stakes at 3.06, an All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier. Shouldvebeenaring won a FTQ last time out winning a 6f Conditions Stakes at Southwell in January, Alpha Capture in second. They both are shortlisted. Iconic Moment has won both his starts to date, both over seven at Chelmsford City in the autumn. There is certainly plenty of speed in the pedigree on the top and bottom lines but he stayed the trip very well at the Essex track as well and a good draw breaking from stall two in this. Rossa Ryan is onboard and he and trainer Jame Tate have a very impressive strike-rate so far this year and as one that could improve quite a bit yet this season he is the one for me at 2-1 BPG.
Be lucky