Black-Type Analysis: Opera Ballo the One to Beat in Al Rashidiya

[Wandering Eyes]

Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 9.00pm, AL MAKTOUM MILE SPONSORED BY EMAAR-G2, AED1,000,000, 3yo/up, 1600m

Field: Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Meshtri (Medaglia d'Oro), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn), Commissioner King (Commissioner), Morning (Munnings), Castlewarden (Into Mischief), Killer Collect (Collected), Masmak (Vino Rosso), West Saratoga (Exaggerator), Musical Dancer (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), David Of Athens (Nyquist).

TDN Analysis: Bhupat Seemar saddles no fewer than eight of the 13 runners, headed by March's G2 Al Maktoum Classic winner Imperial Emperor and recent Dubai Creek Mile scorer Mendelssohn Bay. Defending champion Meshtri was six lengths behind Mendelssohn Bay in that Listed contest and needs to take a big step forward, while the French-trained King Gold returns to Dubai for the first time since filling the runner-up spot in April's G2 Godolphin Mile, having also won the G2 Firebreak Stakes earlier in the year. The unexposed Killer Collect, another Seemar trainee, and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile fourth Tumbarumba, having his first start for Hamad Al Jehani, are others to consider in a wide-open renewal. [Adam Houghton].

Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8.25pm, AL RASHIDIYA SPONSORED BY EMAAR-G2, AED850,000, 3yo/up, 1800mT

Field: Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), First Conquest (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Caramelito (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Stormy Ocean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Miss Of Change (Fr) (King Of Change {GB}).

TDN Analysis: A four-time winner at the top level, Nations Pride has been a terrific servant to the Charlie Appleby stable, but he might prove vulnerable here to the younger legs of stablemate Opera Ballo, who remains a colt of huge potential after his runner-up finish in the G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket when last seen. The style of racing in Dubai should suit the 'TDN Rising Star' and this looks a good opportunity for him to gain his fifth career win on just his seventh start. First Conquest completes the strong Godolphin team as Appleby seeks a fourth consecutive victory in the Al Rashidiya, with Chicago Critic perhaps best of the remainder. [Adam Houghton].

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