Meydan Saturday Preview - 13/02/21

The first race of the day in Meydan is the Longines Spirit Collection Mile on the dirt and the horse that looks the most experienced in the field is Rare Ninja.

The three year old for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer has not done a lot wrong in his four starts to date placing in three of his events and showing big signs of ability.

Having been running over seven furlongs he steps up to a mile on Saturday which should play to his strengths as last time out at Meydan over seven furlongs he was seen finishing a good second, doing his best work late on.

The extra furlong can see him flourish and he should come on for that run.

With no bet in the second race of the day we move straight onto the Longines Spirit Collection Trophy over a mile and Celtic Prince looks an interesting contender.

The six year old has not done much wrong during his career, placing in six of his last events, including winning twice over course and distance.

The highly consistent animal made his return to racing this season over course and distance in January and finished a solid third in a good race.

He will be sure to come on for that run today and tackling the same conditions today makes him a big player.

A Handicap over 1m1f comes next and sees some familiar runners from England now racing in Dubai and Prompting, formerly with David O'Meara is a big player.

The five year old last season became one of the most progressive handicappers on the flat in Britain, landing three races in a row at Ayr, York and Goodwood.

Having won a Class 4 event at Ayr and York in the summer, he went to Glorious Goodwood and landed the hat-trick in the prestigious Golden Mile Handicap.

He then went to York Ebor's meeting last time out in August and finished a solid fourth behind Seasoned handicappers in Montatham, Sir Busker and Top Rank.

That form line is superb heading into this event and if being fit enough after break will take some beating running off the same mark as that fourth at York.

The penultimate runner of the day in Dubai comes in the six furlong Handicap on the Dirt and Dark Silver looks a leading contender at the top of the weights.

This four year old although heavily weighted does not seemed to have reached the ceiling of his potential and that makes him still on a workable mark.

Having won at Jebel Ali in December over six furlongs, the gelding has since gone on to place over course and distance whilst also running well at seven and five furlongs.

His record at six furlongs is exceptional and now getting back to that trip today should see him go close once more.

The final selection for Meydan on Saturday comes in the six furlong Handicap on turf and at a double figure price Quiet Endeavour for Doug Watson could spark a surprise.

The five year old is a fairly consistent sprinter that last time out showed some classy form to finish second behind a nice type at Jebel Ali that puts him firmly in the frame today.

Although the ex George Baker trained gelding has done his best work away from Meydan, if he carries the form of his last run over he warrants respect.