Dubai Sheema Classic 2012

6.00 Meydan

Dubai Sheema Classic Presented By Longines (Group 1) (Turf) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner $10,463,894

Advice: 5 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles (3/1 general)

Songcraft: Brought from France with mark of 105 and got away with running over 10 furlongs on handicap/UAE debut before winning once again in handicap company; Creditable effort on first Group start when third in Dubai City of Gold last time out when never quite able to get into the race and does have first time blinkers but needs a huge amount more today.

Bold Silvano: Potentially one of the best South African recruits that Mike De Kock has brought over and tempting hint of his ability with easy Group 3 win nearly a year ago; Disappointed on return from injury but didn’t improve on it in Round 3 of Al Maktoum Challenge and questions over his fitness right now.

Beaten Up: Meteoric rise from Ripon maiden to Group 3 achieved in only 3 starts last season, winning all three starts with ease in the end; Not hard pushed to beat useful Al Kazeem at Newbury last time and deserves major respect coming here, for all that this is a much harder test once again on his seasonal debut.

Mahbooba: Back in great style with easy win over 1m1f on seasonal reappearance but beaten at 2/5 in Group 2 Cape Verdi; Reversed that form over the extra furlong when ridden strongly to do so and while step up to this trip is what she needs, she’s been exposed before against Males.

Cavalryman: Third in 2009 Arc but not been seen in the same form since moving to Godolphin and exposed on numerous occasions since, especially when fifth in this in 2010; Needs to do much better to have a hope despite promising second in City Of Gold behind Mikhali Glinka last time out.

Treasure Beach: Started remarkable progression throughought last year when winning Chester Vase first time out & career best when beating all but Pour Moi at Epsom; Followed that up when strong at the finish of Irish Derby and probably unsuited by going off so hard in Grand Prix De Paris, although he was second best to Meandre and Reliable Man that day; Battling win in Secretariat Stakes was last previous win but went off to hard in Arc and well over the top by the time that he’d come third in the Canadian International, so has a realistic claim of being right there at the finish.

Jakkalberry: Decent performer when trained in Italy last year, although he was well beaten in the only Group 1 he’s contested in his last 5 starts (does have one top level win, that being in June 2010); Third behind Fox Hunt and Opinion Poll on UAE debut and that level of form not good enough here. 

Cirrus Des Aigles: Finally got group 1 win on the board after numerous attempts when coming with late charge to land Champion Stakes at Ascot three starts back; Might not have been suited by Sha Tin course in Hong Kong Cup (also a very slowly run race too) and needed the run pretty badly when well beaten behind Zazou in France on two runs since, but should be at something close to peak fitness right now and that form makes him the one to beat here.

St Nicholas Abbey: Unbeaten on left handed tracks (4/4); Looked set for big things at two, having shown great turn of foot to land Racing Post Trophy & recaptured that spark after disappointing period with wins in Ormonde Stakes (by 9 lengths) and Coronation Cup; Didn’t quite have things drop his way until renaissance in Breeders Cup Turf, which was arguably his best performance; That form makes him a leading contender but slight worry that he’s been beaten twice on his seasonal reappearance, for all that he’s had valid excuses on both occasions.

Shimraan: Ran to high level of form when third behind Byword on final start for Alain De Royer Dupre but not actually run to that level of form on either of his Godolphin runs so far and has a large amount to find on form.

VERDICT: A cracking match up on form between St Nicholas Abbey, who would be a very appropriate winner following the untimely death of his sire Montjeu earlier this week, and Champion Stakes winner CIRRUS DES AIGLES, who hasn’t been seen at his best in two starts since, although he has valid excuses for both defeats and rates a serious bet with the trip and ground likely to be no problem for him. St Nicholas Abbey is as good as any on his Breeders’ Cup Turf form, although he hasn’t had the current advantage of a run which seems to bring him on so much. William Haggas’s Beaten Up has only had three starts but he’s won all of them easily and will be a much better horse for a stronger gallop, for all that this will be a much harder test coming off a 161 day break. Treasure Beach is likely to be seen as the O’Brien second string but if he can find his best form then he has to be a major contender. The best outsider is probably Songcraft.