Nad Al Sheba - 28/3/09

[WoodyTHFC]

1.40 Cat Junior 14/1 sj bog 5 pts e.w A bit of a gamble here on an unknown surface but I have a feeling that it really could suit this one. Pedigree suggests dirt should suit and if it does this one warrants lots of respect. Ran some top races last year including in group 1s behind horses like HTN/RP and form like that is very solid. In his last run he dropped in trip to again run a good race only to be caught by stimulation. A tough looking race but if this one stepped up anything on his turf form, which I feel he may well do, he is a big threat. 3.55 Archipenko 9/2 bet3 bog10 pts e.w Best bet on the day here and could be an e.w steal. A horse of a lot of promise for AOB but has stepped up for MDK. They have put blinkers on him and that has helped him a lot seemingly. He ran well in this last year to only just fail to win in third and since then has upheld his form really well. Came over here to win a group 2 and unluckily denied over in America. He won his prep for this when supposedly not 100% in good style and may do so again and at the worst is a solid e.w price to nothing. 4.40 Front House 10/1 wh bog 7.5 pts e.w I like Youmzain a lot and it would be good for him to win here but he hasn’t done it in the past here and the possible lack of pace here may not suit his style as often he needs a strong pace. Given possible pace doubts, a possible front runner like FH who looked much improved lto needs much respect. This one had a good rep in SA and whilst unable to win here initially, when stepping up in trip she showed much improved form to win and beat quite a few of these, some of whom are on better terms but such was the slightly cosy nature of this ones win, she might hold that form and could win this race for owners who would love to win on this night in dubai. 5.30 Asiatic Boy 3/1 vc 10 pts Not a vintage world cup and going with AB for DK again. Followed this horse a lot in dubai and run well out there for two years now. Last year he ‘won’ the race behind curlin and that was with a preparation that reportedly his trainer wasn’t that happy with. His preparation this year has been a bit better as he finished third when needing his first run and at todays trip will probably overturn that form, before winning afterwards in fair style especially given he crucially stayed on strongly. Previous to that he hadn’t always convinced at 10f but he got it well that day and should do so again, the likely fav has doubts on such an issue