15:45 Meydan

Friday 21 January 2022

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

Al Rashidiya Presented By Riviera Beachfront By Azizi Group 2 Stakes - Turf

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 1m 46.16s

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(5)

Art Du Val^t1³²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| CD

11/2

C&D winner who produced a career-best effort when ½-length fourth of 11 to the reopposing Lord Glitters in Jebel Hatta at this C&D. Off 10 months, and this trainer/jockey took this race last year.

Form: 751/434-

(2)

Bedouin's Story^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 110| C| D

10/3

Cambridgeshire winner who rounded off last season with a close second to Mostahdaf in Darley Stakes (10/3) at Newmarket (9f), left with too much to do. Makes obvious appeal on reappearance.

Form: 055612-

(1)

Bless Him^h¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: C Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 101

33/1

Respectable effort after 4 months off when second of 4 in minor event (2/1) at Newcastle (8f) 19 days ago, ideally needing stronger gallop. This much tougher, however.

Form: 29577-2

(9)

Desert Fire^p⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 106| C| D

25/1

Course winner who ran creditably after 8 months off when length second of 10 to Shandoz in listed race at Kempton (12f) in November. Place possibilities back down in distance.

Form: 81/5032-

(7)

Kick On^t1¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: N Petersen| OR: 110| D

25/1

Two listed wins from 4 runs last year, latest at Ovrevoll (8f, good, 1/10) by 2 lengths from Swedish Dream back in October. Not without hope on his first visit to this track.

Form: 11/4121-

(10)

Lord Glitters⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 116| CD

11/4

Best effort since winning the Queen Anne Stakes in 2019 when landing 13-runner Bahrain International Trophy a couple of months ago. Usually held up, and he should get a sound pace to aim at. Player.

Form: 442401-

(11)

Erasmo^p1¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 105

33/1

Gained a first pattern-race win at the second attempt back in HUne but has struggled to land a blow since. Has since left Andre Fabre and looks up against it in this line up.

Form: 2117F0-

(6)

Erzindjan^p1¹¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R Dawson| T: A Bin Harmash| OR: 106

40/1

Turned in a lacklustre display when thirteenth of 15 to Queenship in listed race at Cork (8.2f, soft). Off 115 days. Sold from D. K. Weld (€160,000) and then gelded but looks up against it.

Form: 643470-

(3)

Highland Avenue¹³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: M Barzalona| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| D

5/1

Scored 3 times early last year but disappointed in first-time cheekpieces when last of 8 in Prix du Prince d'Orange at Longchamp (9.9f) back in September. Impossible to rule out.

Form: 112648-

(8)

Partenit¹⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T P O'Shea| T: B Seemar| OR: 107| D

20/1

Made a winning debut in a newcomers race at Dieppe and improved when short-head second of 9 in Prix Daphnis at Deauville (8f, 22/1), battling well. More needed on first start for new yard.

Form: 12-

(4)

Royal Fleet^h¹³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 103

4/1

Didn't need to improve much on his earlier form to make it 4 from 5 when landing 8-runner handicap at Doncaster (8f, good to soft, 11/8) back in September. Should progress, so one for the shortlist.

Form: 1/1151-

Forecasts

Lord Glitters (11/4), Bedouin's Story (10/3), Royal Fleet (4/1), Highland Avenue (5/1), Art Du Val (11/2), Partenit (20/1), Desert Fire (25/1), Kick On (25/1), Erasmo (33/1), Bless Him (33/1), Erzindjan (40/1)

LORD GLITTERS put up his best performance since winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019 when getting up late in the piece in the Bahrain International Trophy 2 months ago. With David O'Meara's veteran showing no signs of letting up, he gets the vote to make it C&D victory number 3. Godolphin has many chances so Bedouin's Story, Royal Fleet and Art du Val are all much respected.