12:55 Meydan

Saturday 26 March 2022

All11:4512:2012:5513:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (Group 2) (Turf)

Off time: 12:56 | Winning time: 3m 19.64s

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(1)

Al Madhar²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: A Fresu| T: M Al Mheiri| OR: 106| C

66/1

Smart gelding who landed second 10f handicap of this campaign in good style here last month. Improved further when fourth in Dubai City of Gold Group 2 latest but this another tough enough ask.

Form: 4-41414

(2)

Alignak²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 103

50/1

Losing run is mounting up but he ran right up to best when runner-up in a 12f handicap here on his penultimate outing. Not disgraced from unpromising position in Group 2 latest and return to further well worth exploring.

Form: 63-5226

(9)

Baron Samedi^p,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

11/1

Smart gelding who completed remarkable 7-timer when landing Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup back in June prior to a solid third in Irish St Leger. Respectable fourth of 14 to Stay Foolish in handicap at King Abdulaziz (14.9f,) on return last month and he's respected here.

Form: 11536-4

(3)

East Asia³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: R Mullen| T: Ian Williams| OR: 102| D

80/1

Useful gelding. Four wins from 12 runs last year. Very good 5½ lengths second of 15 to Manobo in Nad Al Sheba Trophy at this course (14f, good, 66/1) 36 days ago, running on. However, this another tough ask.

Form: 55310-2

(11)

Emperor Of The Sun¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: A de Vries| T: F Nass| OR: 112

50/1

Smart performer who scored at listed level last May and not disgraced in much stronger company thereafter. Well held on yard debut behind Lord Glitters at Bahrain in November and bounce back called for returning from a breka now.

Form: 573580-

(6)

Mirinaque²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: F Goncalves| T: M Munoz| OR: 110

125/1

Smart horse. Thirteen runs since last win in 2019. 50/1, creditable 9 lengths sixth of 14 to Stay Foolish in handicap at King Abdulaziz (14.9f, firm) 28 days ago.

Form: 72522-6

(12)

Passion And Glory²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 112

80/1

Smart on his day but not at best in trio of starts here in recent months, 9¼ lengths eighth of 14 to Authority in Group 3 Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz (10.4f, firm, 16/1) 28 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Needs to scale a revival.

Form: 113-008

(13)

Rodrigo Diaz³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105

22/1

Smart gelding. Bit below form 7 lengths sixth of 15 to Manobo in Nad Al Sheba Trophy at this course (14f, good, 8/1) 36 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Should come on for that run but others make more appeal.

Form: 13224-6

(4)

Stay Foolish²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: C P Lemaire| T: Y Yahagi| OR: 117

4/1

Very smart horse. Career best when winning 14-runner handicap at King Abdulaziz (14.9f, firm, 14/1) 28 days ago. That was his first victory since 2018 but it was a dominant display and claims if replicating that here.

Form: P5745-1

(5)

Volcanic Sky²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Louis Steward| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 103| C| D

50/1

Course winner. 12/1, 8½ lengths ninth of 12 to Royal Fleet in Dubai Millennium Stakes at this course (9.9f, good) 29 days ago, needing stiffer test. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 001-339

(10)

Castlebar^p,t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Bernardo Pinheiro| T: H Alalawi| OR: 106| C

100/1

In good form in handicaps since the turn of the year, successful over 9.5f here in February and produced a career-best effort when third in 10f Group 3 last time. Takes a marked step up in trip now, though.

Form: 9-24133

(7)

Manobo³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 113| C

4/11

Highly-promising stayer who maintained 100% record when running out a convincing winner 15-runner Nad Al Sheba Trophy at this course (14f, good) 36 days ago by 5½ lengths from East Asia. Looks the one to beat again.

Form: 1111-1

(8)

Veloce Oro^h1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: M Demuro| T: N Sugai| OR: 111

28/1

Smart colt. Latest win at Nakayama (12.4f) in December. Creditable 4 lengths fifth of 14 to T O Royal in Gr 3 at Tokyo (16.4f, firm) 35 days ago.

Form: 15161-5

Forecasts

Manobo (4/11), Stay Foolish (4/1), Baron Samedi (11/1), Rodrigo Diaz (22/1), Veloce Oro (28/1), Alignak (50/1), Volcanic Sky (50/1), Emperor Of The Sun (50/1), Al Madhar (66/1), Passion And Glory (80/1), East Asia (80/1), Castlebar (100/1), Mirinaque (125/1)

MANOBO was deeply impressive as he maintained his 100% record in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy on his latest outing 5 weeks ago, quickening clear for hands-and-heels riding. He's every inch a Group 1 performer in the making and is fancied to come out on top again. Stay Foolish impressed himself when ending a losing run 28 days ago and is feared, along with Baron Samedi.