Charlie Appleby has excelled with his Meydan runners in recent seasons, with the Newmarket handler operating at a +89.23 profit to level stakes at the venue. He has four entrants on Friday’s excellent card – which include some of his best horses – that combine to produce a 9/1 four-timer. Check these out below, alongside an exclusive SBK offer that provides money back in cash up to £40.
SILENT SPEECH – (2.35 Meydan, Al Wasl Stakes Presented By Marfa Deira) 8/15
Beautifully-bred half-brother to Group 1 winner Ultra and has proven a useful colt in his own right in a light career on the track, building on a Newmarket debut second to score at Wolverhampton, and here at Meydan, the last twice.
Had Home City 2l behind the last day, and that rival reopposes on the same terms, so has work to do to reverse the form.
Silent Speech admittedly benefitted from Home City setting too strong a pace on the front end, and the result could be closer if Home City is ridden more patiently, yet it is difficult to see the tables completely turned, particularly with Silent Speech looking a good bit less exposed than his fellow Godolphin-owned 3yo.
Verdict: Led home a 1-2 with follow Godolphin-owned Home City here last month and on the same terms can be backed to confirm the placings.
LAZULI – (3.45 Meydan, Blue Point Presented By Jebel Ali Port) 8/13
Speed demon who often attempts to burn his rivals off on the front end, as he successfully did in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket last May.
Not at that level in two subsequent 2021 starts, yet he made a bright start to this campaign when runner-up in a Listed event over 6f here last month.
Tongue tie fitted there is retained and dropping back to the minimum distance looks a notable plus, so with a good record second time out and with William Buick returning to the saddle (all five wins have come under today’s rider), he rates the one to beat.
Verdict: Should be much more at home over this distance having finished runner-up over 6f last time and William Buick is also back in the saddle, factors that make him tough to oppose.
MANOBO – (4.20 Meydan, Nad Al Sheba Trophy Presented By DP World UAE) 8/13
A perfect 4-4 up to now, claiming the scalp of subsequent Derby runner-up Mojo Star on racecourse debut at Newbury back in May.
Ended the campaign with a French Group 2 win and on his start prior had run out a 10l winner of a Listed event at Saint-Cloud, his first start in 100 days.
Exciting prospect for connections this year and certainly has the scope for improvement from 3 to 4. Sole representative for a yard that has taken three of the last four renewals of this event and he comes out clear on these terms.
Verdict: Unbeaten as a 3yo and every chance he’s improved for a winter break; difficult to oppose on advantageous terms.
VALIANT PRINCE – (4.55 Meydan, Presented By Mina Rashid) 6/4
Failed to score in his first three starts yet bumped into the likes of Storm Damage (now rated 108) and Mutafawwig (now rated 102).
Seems to have benefitted from a subsequent gelding operation, winning both starts, supplementing a 1/40F Chelmsford success when landing the Emirates Airline Handicap over track and trip last month.
Up 9lb but his form stacks up well and he’s open to significantly more improvement than most of these.
Verdict: 2-2 since being gelded, going in on handicap debut over C&D last time; 9lb rise unlikely to prevent a follow-up.
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