Meydan Carnival analysis: TSR’s top picks

With the Meydan Carnival returning this week, we have selections and analysis from two of the races on the card.

Faatinah bids for another Carnival success

Irish raider Hit The Bid returns bidding to reverse form with Faatinah after their clash on the opening night of the Carnival saw the latter run out a ready winner and there’s reason to think the latter could be too short this time around.

Faatinah was impressive last time out when winning off top-weight but he failed to back a similar effort up after his success in a six-furlong contest at the Carnival last year. Each of his career wins have come off an absence of at least 60 days and it’s a surprise that connections haven’t gone straight for Dubai World Cup night to leave him fresh for the big race.

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He might be worth opposing at the current odds of 11/8 and Hit The Bid isn’t underestimated on his return with conditions set to suit.

The five-year-old thrives on fast ground over the minimum trip and the handicapper has rather leniently left him on the same mark after his excellent seasonal reappearance last time out.

Another to watch out for at an each-way price is Dutch Masterpiece who won at the Carnival last year. He returned with a solid effort when fifth in behind both Hit The Bid and Faatinah last time and he gets a useful swing in the weights with those rivals here.

Bin Suroor could dominate again

Saeed Bin Suroor is a trainer who has dominated the Group 2 Al Rashidiya down the years and he bids for a third straight renewal with Dream Castle.

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One mile one furlong could be his optimum trip and he could hardly have been more impressive when bolting up over course and distance last time out.

There’s no shortage of dangers in the line up with the likes of Blair House who brings the highest official rating in to the contest. He was an exciting prospect last season and he can be forgiven his run in a Group 1 in Australia last time when clearly not giving his running.

#BlairHouse returns to the scene of his biggest victory for the G2 Al Rashidiya, on tomorrow's #DWCCarnival card – hear from Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby 👇👇 https://t.co/HcUz28pcbJ

— Godolphin (@godolphin) January 23, 2019

Appleby has another fascinating prospect in the finale on the in the shape of the entirely unexposed Dubhe. The four-year-old was mightily impressive when beating useful yardstick Communique at Sandown last time. He looked a potential Derby prospect at that point and while he’s a minor concern he’s not been seen since that outing, there could easily be more to come over this new trip.

Potential backers shouldn’t necessarily be put off with James Doyle riding Spotify. Appleby’s first choice jockey wouldn’t have been able to get down to a riding weight of 8st 9lb at this time of year, something he only just managed to do for last year’s Arc when riding Sea Of Class, and Brett Doyle is an able deputy, as seen when winning last week’s finale on the card.

The Selection

Dubhe – Meydan 5.25

1 Point win

1-5 Point Scale