TimeformBlog

The opening maiden at 11:00 isn't the strongest and I'm going to take a chance on Seeking Glory who has a bit to find with the principals but has got the scope to make up that ground on what will be his first outing of the season. He was placed three times late in 2010/early 2011, leaving Ed Dunlop prior to his excellent second behind Air Of Grace, form that looks very strong in the context of today's race. He wasn't at his best subsequently, a trait that is common with a lot of horses having their first season in Dubai, and hopefully given time to acclimatise and strengthen up he can come back a better horse. The stable are also responsible for the likely favourite, Nabah, but she wouldn't be the first maiden to have been highly tried by Clive Brittain and subsequently disappoint in Dubai and she is worth opposing, particularly over the shorter trip.

Lord Tiger won impressively at Meydan last time when tackling six furlongs for the first time and there is no reason why he can't follow up over the same trip off just a 6 lb higher mark in the 12:10. He scythed his way through the field before putting daylight between himself and Rutland Boy (a winner next time, as was the third) and from the same draw in stall one, put simply, he should take plenty of beating.

Daboos was included in this column last week at Jebel Ali, just touched off by Classic Blade, but it was another excellent effort and assuming today's race doesn't come too soon, he should go well again in the 12:45. That was the third start in succession in which he has had to settle for the silver medal, but he shaped best once more, embroiled in a duel for the lead and winning that particularly battle only for his stablemate to come and claim the war right on the line. Daboos is off a 3 lb higher mark this time and is stepping up to a mile, but the way he stayed on over seven furlongs at the track on his penultimate start suggests he should have few problems with the trip.

Back Seeking Glory to win the 11:00
Back Lord Tiger to win the 12:10
Back Daboos to win the 12:45

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