16:20 Meydan

Friday 14 January 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Presented By Nakheel Group 2 Stakes (Dirt)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: -

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(13)

Avant Garde^b,t²⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Mullen| T: B Seemar| OR: 109| D

16/1

5-time winner in America who ended up finishing respectably when third in a blanket finish for the places here 9 months ago. May come up short on first run for yard after leaving Gustavo Delgado.

Form: 411/323-

(14)

Capezzano^h⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Ffrench| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 109| CD

40/1

Smart gelding. 4-time C&D winner. Six wins from 22 Flat runs. Eighth of 10 in minor event at this C&D (9/2) 43 days ago. Seventh in this last year and others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 03/7408-

(9)

Eastern World²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Dawson| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 97| D

12/1

Smart gelding. First run since leaving Charlie Appleby when career-best 1¼ lengths second of 10 to Tuz in listed race (18/1) at this C&D 29 days ago. More needed here though.

Form: 9/10402-

(1)

Golden Goal²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: S Hitchcott| T: D Watson| OR: 108| CD

25/1

Useful gelding. C&D winner. 9/1, creditable 3½ lengths fourth of 10 to Tuz in listed race at this C&D 29 days ago. Likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 2/15424-

(8)

Hypothetical^t²⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: S Ghadayer| OR: 112| CD

6/1

Smart horse. Two wins from 6 runs last year. Creditable 6¼ lengths fourth of 12 to Mystic Guide in Dubai World Cup (17/2) at this course (9.9f). Off 9 months. Back down in trip. Enters calculations.

Form: 142124-

(3)

Imperial Empire²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: B Seemar| OR: 76| C| D

14/1

Useful gelding. Three wins from 5 runs last year. 7/1, career best when winning 9-runner minor event at this course (7f) 22 days ago by 2¼ lengths from Syrtis. Dettori booked but step forward needed.

Form: 6/17011-

(10)

Kafoo^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: B Seemar| OR: 90| CD

3/1

Smart colt. Two wins from 2 runs last year. 15/8, won 9-runner minor event at this course (7f) 29 days ago, edging ahead close home. Likely to improve further so a must for the shortlist.

Form: 11-

(11)

Kimbear^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: A Fresu| T: B Seemar| OR: 102| CD

33/1

Useful horse. 15/2, first run since leaving D. Watson when creditable 5¼ lengths third of 9 to Imperial Empire in minor event at this course (7f) 22 days ago. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 5/83543-

(2)

Marie's Diamond⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: R Scott| T: R Fell| OR: 100| D

50/1

Useful horse who ran creditably in the Cambridgeshire but not in same form when last of 20 in handicap at Ascot (8f, good to soft) 90 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Mark Johnston.

Form: 265370-

(7)

Midnight Sands²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D Watson| OR: 110| CD

7/1

Smart horse. 6-time course winner who landed Group 3 on return here last year. 7/4, 8 lengths seventh of 10 to Tuz in listed race at this C&D 29 days ago. Will need to step up on his reappearance.

Form: 378/187-

(4)

Salute The Soldier²⁹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: A de Vries| T: F Nass| OR: 115| CD

13/2

Very smart gelding. C&D winner. 13/2, not disgraced when 7¼ lengths fifth of 12 to Mystic Guide in Dubai World Cup at this course (9.9f). Off 9 months. Back down in trip. Should be in the mix.

Form: 14/3115-

(5)

Secret Ambition^t²⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| OR: 109| CD

4/1

Very smart horse. 4-time C&D winner. 12/1, career best when winning 15-runner Godolphin Mile at this C&D by 6 lengths from Golden Goal, unchallenged. Off 9 months. Leading claims if ready to roll.

Form: 32/2151-

(12)

Syrtis²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Bernardo Pinheiro| T: A Al Shemaili| OR: 97| D

66/1

Useful gelding. 50/1, first run since leaving Simon & Ed Crisford when creditable 2¼ lengths second of 9 to Imperial Empire in minor event at this course (7f) 22 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 412/602-

(6)

Thegreatcollection^b²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: D Watson| OR: 111| CD

11/1

Smart gelding. 3-time C&D winner. Respectable 1½ lengths third of 10 to Tuz in listed race (11/2) at this C&D 29 days ago, nearest finish. Each-way claims.

Form: 1/22473-

Forecasts

Kafoo (3/1), Secret Ambition (4/1), Hypothetical (6/1), Salute The Soldier (13/2), Midnight Sands (7/1), Thegreatcollection (11/1), Eastern World (12/1), Imperial Empire (14/1), Avant Garde (16/1), Golden Goal (25/1), Kimbear (33/1), Capezzano (40/1), Marie's Diamond (50/1), Syrtis (66/1)

The vote goes to SECRET AMBITION, who took his form up a notch when bolting up in the 15-runner Godolphin Mile over C&D when last seen back in March. Provided he's ready to roll on reappearance, he could take some stopping. Kafoo has won his first 2 starts and he's feared most with further improvement a distinct possibility, ahead of Salute The Soldier.