Who To Follow At Meydan On Friday - 25/02/22

James Mackie | @jamesmackieee

Thu 24 Feb 2022 14.22

Meydan 15:45

11(8)

Royal Fleet

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

N/A

Age: 4

Weight: 9-3

OR: 109

Days: 14

Next up is the feature race of the afternoon with the Group Three Dubai Millennium Stakes over 1m2f and Royal Fleet is a solid bet.

The four year old son of Dubawi has been has been a revelation for the Godolphin yard, winning all three of his first starts in taking style, with his final victory of three coming in a value handicap at Newmarket.

Looking to make it 4/4 at York he had to settle for fifth in a competitive handicap, but bounced back on his final run of the season at Doncaster.

Given a break he returned at Meydan in January and made a superb seasonal debut when a good second in the Group Two Al Rashidiya.

Looking to build on that run last time out in the Group Two Singspiel he got done over the top by the superstar Lord Glitters and had to settle for second again.

This race looks an easier prospect and if handling another furlong looks the pick of the bunch.

Form: View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
29/10/22	NMK	10	Sft	9-9	2
08/10/22	NMK	9	Gd	9-5	3
21/09/22	GOO	10	GS	9-4	1
25/02/22	MEY	10	Gd	9-3	1
11/02/22	MEY	9	Gd	9-0	2

Charlie Appleby, again has some live chances on Friday at the UAE track starting in the Group Three Millennium Stakes over 1m2f.

The experienced British handler fields the top two in the market with Star Safari and Royal Fleet both having some cracking form at the track ahead of the race.

Appleby is double pronged in the Jumeirah Derby aswell with New Kingdom and Nations Pride both equally having big chances in the valuable race.

The trainer heads into the meeting sporting a 25% strike rate for the last two weeks managing seven winners from 28 runners.

The jockey follow on Friday at Meydan on what looks a tricky day from a punting perspective is the the talented Mickael Barzalona.

Known for riding winners all over the world but especially in France, he always does well at Meydan and has a nice book of rides across the afternoon.

Two of his best chances across the afternoon look to be Batwan in the second race of the day with the gelding heading into the race off the back of a win and Motawaajed who is a smart horse for his new yard if bouncing back to form.