1.25 Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes (Listed) 6f
Power Under Me is taken to bounce back to form. He wasn’t at his best when sixth in the Greenlands Stakes last time but is much better judged on his comeback success at Cork in April when he accounted for Mooneista and Twilight Spinner. A return to that form would make him hard to beat and any rain that falls would further enhance his chances.
It would not surprise if he were given most to do by Teresa Mendoza who was second in this race last year and has run many of her best races over this course and distance. She comes here off a respectable effort in a Haydock listed race last month.
SELECTION: POWER UNDER ME
Next best: Teresa Mendoza
2.00 Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap 7f
A chance is taken on the former Group 3 winner Surrounding. The nine-year-old was a quality listed/Group 3 performer at her best and her comeback at Gowran at the start of the month was quite encouraging as she was beaten less than three lengths into fourth by Spanish Tenor. She will surely progress on that showing and is reasonably treated on her old form which earns her the vote over Dexter Belle.
The latter was placed at listed level in Britain last season and her Irish debut yielded a respectable sixth to Pirate Jenny at this track last month. The benefit of that first run since July coupled with the step up to this trip could make her a formidable contender for this prize.
SELECTION: SURROUNDING
Next best: Dexter Belle
2.35 Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes (Listed) 1m
Wexford Native finished down the field behind Coroebus at Ascot last week but is worth another chance. That Ascot run came in a quality edition of the St James’s Palace Stakes and this is a marked drop in class for him, but he is better than he showed last week as evidenced by a fine fourth in last month’s Irish 2000 Guineas. A return to that classic form should enable him to make his mark.
Straight Answer took a definite step in the right direction to take second in the recent Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown. His effort there suggested that a step up to this trip could work in his favour and he should give a good account of himself.
The reliable Pretreville is another to consider, having posted a succession of good efforts in smart company this season.
SELECTION: WEXFORD NATIVE
Next best: Straight Answer
3.05 GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) 6f
A quick turnaround from Ascot hasn’t always worked for leading contenders in this race, but Blackbeard is still put forward to oblige following his very creditable fourth in last week’s Coventry Stakes. Prior to that he had won his first three starts, which took in listed and Group 3 events at this track. He was quite impressive in landing the Marble Hill Stakes here last month and if he turns out in similar shape he could take beating.
This trip is an unknown for Crispy Cat who ran a splendid third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. If he can last home at this distance he might represent a greater threat than the Coventry Stakes seventh Age Of Kings.
SELECTION: BLACKBEARD
Next best: Crispy Cat
4.20 ARM Holding International Stakes (Group 3) 1m 2f
Vera Magnifico is a speculative choice. He is the lowest-rated member of the field by some distance, but he progressed from two solid initial efforts to run out an impressive winner of a Navan maiden last month. He defeated a couple of capable sorts on that occasion when seeing off Newfoundland and Cougar with plenty to spare and his performance that day indicated he was a colt with stakes-race potential.
It could be worth taking a chance on him to defeat the Irish 2000 Guineas fifth Duke De Sessa whose other form this season includes a very creditable third in the Ballysax Stakes. Mac Swiney needs to improve on his comeback in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but he is dropping markedly in class and he won’t be troubled by any easing in the ground.
SELECTION: VERA MAGNIFICO
Next best: Duke De Sessa
4.50 Dubai Duty Free Handicap 1m
Pierre Lapin has yet to win since joining Adrian McGuinness, however he has run well in a number of quality handicaps and his latest fourth to Celtic Crown over this course and distance was a very encouraging effort. That run and his fourth to Masen at Leopardstown last September would indicate that he is a horse with the capacity to land a premier handicap.
No More Porter is another leading contender. He is a former course-and-distance winner and he also ran a splendid race behind Celtic Crown last month when beaten just over one length into second. A bold showing from the selection’s stablemate Casanova would not surprise.
SELECTION: PIERRE LAPIN
Next best: No More Porter
5.25 Dubai Duty Free Handicap 1m 2f
For a filly with minimal experience, Bay Of Bengal ran a fine race on her handicap debut at Gowran earlier this month when finishing second to Dha Leath. After just two outings she is still open to any amount of progress and she might be able to deal with the progressive Chicago Bear whose last two efforts have seen him creep up 12lbs in the ratings.
There was plenty to like about his recent success in a nine-furlong handicap at Leopardstown and he appeals as a horse who still has more to offer.
SELECTION: BAY OF BENGAL
Next best: Chicago Bear
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