The cold snap has limited the racing action in the UK largely to the all-weather so far this week. Hopefully temperatures will climb sufficiently by the weekend for a cracking Newbury card featuring the Betfair Hurdle and the return of Sire de Grugy in the Game Spirit Chase.
The 1000 Guineas may seem a long way away but Godolphin are already preparing their team and the UAE 1000 Guineas takes place at Meydan on Thursday. Last year we were keen on the chances of Ihtimal for the Newmarket classic after she stormed to success in Dubai. She ran a cracker to finish third and went on to finish fifth in the Oaks, although she may have done better at Epsom with a more judicious ride. Sadly, Ihtimal had to be put down last month after sustaining an injury in Dubai.
The famous blue silks could be carried to victory again this year by the improving Local Time. She won the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket last season and won the UAE 1000 Guineas trial recently. She looked to have too much to do with a furlong to travel but clawed her way to the front to beat Ad Idem by a short head. She meets that four-year-old on identical terms but has an extra furlong to travel. She does not have the turn of foot of Ihtimal but she has the heart of a lion and can come out on top.
I will also be keeping an eye on Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten filly Yodelling who is unbeaten after two starts. She is out of that good mare Echoes of Eternity and will probably be better suited by middle distances later in the year.
Racing fans will also be looking forward to seeing 2014 Dubai World Cup winner African Story returning to action after almost a year. He lines up in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge at 5.40 for his first start since providing Saeed bin Suroor with his sixth winner of the big race.
African Story broke the track record when beating Mukhadram but that was a massive step up on his previous form. I would be surprised if he is at his peak after such a long lay-off. Prince Bishop won the September Stakes at Kempton and has a history of winning after a break while there are several recent winners including Le Bernardin and Cooptado. I was more impressed with the former and he could cause an upset if striking for home early in the straight.
The closing race is the Cepsa Mile, a handicap for four-year-olds and upwards over a mile. Magic City got no run at all when running at Lingfield recently and it will be interesting to see how he goes after flitting over to Dubai for Richard Hannon. I have him down as a seven-furlong specialist but he was a close third in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood and the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot. Richard Hughes takes over from Sean Levey and let’s hope he can weave a way through this large field.
Local Time 3.55 Meydan @5-2 Betfair
Le Bernardin 5.40 Meydan @12-1 Bet365
Magic City 6.15 Meydan @10-1 Bet365
