14:55 Meydan

Saturday 6 March 2021

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored By Emirates Airline Group 1 Stakes - Dirt

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 2m 3.09s

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(2)

Dubai Mirage^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 100

15/2

Useful gelding who arrives in excellent nick, second of 14 in 1m1f handicap at Meydan 9 days ago. Should prove effective over this longer trip but faces uphill task in this grade.

Form: 0135-22

(6)

Firnas^h²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Ffrench| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 108| CD

18/1

Smart gelding who was a dual C&D winner in 2020. Got back on track when 4l fifth of 9 to Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge Round 2 here 23 days ago so one for the shortlist.

Form: 2/11-155

(8)

Hypothetical^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 110| C

5/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who posted smart effort when landing 1m handicap here 16 days ago. May do better still up in trip but this demands a fair bit more.

Form: 00-1421

(3)

New Trails^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Fernando Jara| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 103| CD

16/1

11/1, cashed in on reduced mark after 12 months off with success in handicap over C&D 16 days ago. Needs to take another sizeable step forward now upped in grade.

Form: 4/6006-1

(1)

Quip^b,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: S Seemar| OR: 105

16/1

Not the force of old but (25/1) wasn't disgraced in first-time blinkers/tongue strap when 4¾l sixth of 9 to Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge Round 2 here 23 days ago. Respected.

Form: 96/57-96

(11)

Roman Rosso^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: A Fresu| T: S Seemar| OR: 108| D

9/1

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who (22/1) returned from 11 months off with good fourth of 11 to Military Law in Maktoum Challenge Round 1 here 44 days ago. Not ruled out if he can build on that up in trip.

Form: 460/45-4

(5)

Saltarin Dubai^b,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: S Seemar| OR: 103| CD

28/1

C&D winner who arrives on back of narrow victory in 1m2f listed race (15/2) at Jebel Ali 29 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 3942-41

(4)

Salute The Soldier²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A de Vries| T: F Nass| OR: 113| CD

11/4

Useful for Clive Cox in 2019. Lightly raced since but has taken his form to another level, landing 9.5f Maktoum Challenge Round 2 here by 1l from Thegreatcollection. More to come at 1m2f. One to beat.

Form: 1414-31

(9)

Secret Ambition^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Mullen| T: S Seemar| OR: 109| C

15/2

6-time course winner who recorded a career best when winning 1m Firebreak Stakes here 30 days ago by 3¾l from Hypothetical. Player if his stamina holds out up in trip now.

Form: 2232-21

(7)

Tailor's Row^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: X Ziani| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 103| C| D

25/1

Four-time winner last year who has continued in fine form in 2021, scoring at Jebel Ali before good fourth in C&D handicap 16 days ago. Course winner but this represents a big jump in class, however.

Form: 211-124

(10)

Thegreatcollection^b²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson| OR: 111| C

9/2

Signed off for 2020 with fourth course victory here and runner-up both starts this term, beaten 1l by Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (5/1) here last time. In the mix once more.

Form: 5121-22

Forecasts

Salute The Soldier (11/4), Thegreatcollection (9/2), Hypothetical (5/1), Secret Ambition (15/2), Dubai Mirage (15/2), Roman Rosso (9/1), New Trails (16/1), Quip (16/1), Firnas (18/1), Tailor's Row (25/1), Saltarin Dubai (28/1)

SALUTE THE SOLDIER proved suited by the step up in trip when holding Thegreatcollection at bay here last month and the duo are fancied to come home in the same order here in this higher grade. Multiple course winner Secret Ambition has the form to play a part but might have to settle for a place with his stamina not assured.