It’s another huge weekend of mixed racing; Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster staging major jumps events while we now reach Super Saturday at Meydan in the Dubai Carnival.
Friday 3rd March 2023
3.00 Lingfield (Handicap) – TOLSTOY
In this six-furlong sprint there are a few horses who appear to be going backwards, a few contenders are drawn wide and some are perhaps looking for a different trip or surface.
The solid ones, all things considered, are Tolstoy, Crimson Sand, Laheg and Baldomero.
Crimson Sand has gate 12 to overcome which tempers enthusiasm a little, but eight stalls inside of him is Stuart Williams’ Tolstoy who looks a better proposition under Rossa Ryan.
Back on this surface and over this trip, he can show what he is made of after three wins for the Gosden team in the past.
4.20 Doncaster (Handicap Chase) – MONGOL EMPEROR
While it’s true that Neil Mulholland’s Mongol Emperor needs a return to form after a couple of bad efforts, that is bound to happen very soon given this gelding’s age and career stage.
He is only eight years old and is five runs into his chase career, the third run of which at these weights would have seen him win this so that return to form would make him very good value.
Saturday 4th March 2023
12.05 Meydan (Dubai City of Gold – Group 2) – KEMARI
The excellent Rebel’s Romance is unfortunately out of the City of Gold but is still on track for Dubai World Cup night.
In his absence solid performers Away He Goes, Global Heat and Global Storm can make their presence felt over the mile and a half, while White Wolf is dangerous getting weight and Senor Toba obviously has class.
The one who is perhaps on a different level now fully tuned up however is former Queen’s Vase winner Kemari. The Dubawi gelding is very comfortable at this distance and in fact finished runner-up to Rebel’s Romance twice last year, the horse who would have been a heavy favourite for this event. James Doyle rides.
1.30 Doncaster (Handicap Chase) – CALICO
In the hope that his price holds (at least 7/4 available going into Friday), the clear choice in this two-mile chase is Dan Skelton’s Calico.
The basic form figures he’s published of 22412 make him look more consistent than progressive, but that’s not true at all.
He’s getting better with almost every run and was the only horse allowed to stand his ground against Jonbon last time. With a nice clear round of jumping, Bridget Andrews’ mount shouldn’t have any problems in getting the job done.
3.06 Lingfield (Spring Cup – Listed Race) – ICONIC MOMENT
Lingfield’s seven-furlong Spring Cup has been won by some decent three-year-olds in the past, most notably Paco Boy, but it isn’t too likely to throw up a 2000 Guineas horse.
While the field depth isn’t amazing this time, it may throw up a good one in the shape of the promising Iconic Moment.
James Tate’s runner is unbeaten in two and on a line through times, the form of those he’s beaten and natural progression, he looks as though he may just be on another level to Alpha Capture (giving away 3lbs) and Shouldvebeenaring.
Minnetonka, New Definition and Candle Of Hope all have to improve markedly to get involved though that remains possible for all.
3.15 Doncaster (Grimthorpe Handicap Chase) – COOPER’S CROSS
This could turn out to be a pretty decent Grand National trial over Doncaster’s 3¼-mile chase course.
There’s plenty of money on offer but only an eight-runner field. Does He Know is solid at the top of the weights for Kim Bailey, while a big challenge could also come from Charlie Longsdon’s Castle Robin.
The one I like best is the keenly weighted Cooper’s Cross for the Stuart Coltherd team. After finishing second in the Auld Reekie at Musselburgh he was excellent over three miles around here last time out at Premier Handicap level and the assessors have not caught up to him.
3.35 Kelso (Premier Chase – Listed Race) – ZANZA
On a valuable day of racing for Kelso, the near-three-mile Premier Chase may go slightly under the radar with the Morebattle having taken place earlier on the card.
Empire Steel has been regressing, while old-timer Wishing And Hoping has it all to do.
The Shunter’s best days are also likely behind him, though the betting has been kept relatively competitive by the fact that the other two main contenders have to give away weight.
Le Milos is the likely favourite, but the manner of Zanza’s victory in the Denman Chase means he can take this despite his big weight, in fact he may even go on. He is also entered at Newbury.
3.45 Meydan (Jebel Hatta – Group 1) – MASTER OF THE SEAS
This is a fair Group 1, at least we should see that as the season goes on it isn’t among the weaker top-level races we will witness in 2023.
El Drama is drawn wide and has work to do on his return, while Russian Emperor ran well in Qatar last time and can be a challenger for a place.
Real World is the likely favourite. Saeed bin Suroor’s runner is famous for chasing Baaeed home but he was also ever so slightly dragged along by the champ and now has to boss his own races – he is also drawn wide.
Valiant Prince is most definitely of Group 1 quality and he’s earned his place in this race with two Group 2 wins over the course and distance, though again he has to come from out wide.
The suggestion then is narrow 2000 Guineas runner-up Master Of The Seas. He came back last year with a lovely win in the Earl Of Sefton but was off the track again until six weeks ago when he won here comfortably.
The Godolphin team know he has a Group 1 in him and he may now get a belated first win at the very top level of the sport.
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