Meydan preview: Week nine

With the Meydan season drawing to a close, we look at the best of the action from Thursday’s Carnival card.

The Nad Al Sheba Trophy is the feature event on the last Thursday card of the 2019 Carnival season and Godolphin have a typically strong hand in the event, as they have in most of the Group races so far this season.

Godolphin with strong hand

The highly talented Brundtland deservedly heads the market on his return and the four-year-old is unlucky not to be arriving here unbeaten.

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His run at Chantilly last time out saw him finish a close up fourth despite losing something close to ten lengths when leader at the time, Flag Of Honour spooked when crossing the path. There’s no doubt that was a freak incident and while the Dubai Gold Cup will be his main target next month, he’s expected to have too much for these rivals.

The Opposition

Stablemate Ispolini could be the main danger and he gets the services of Mikael Barzalona who isn’t seen riding in these colours often outside of his native France. His ride has the beating of the remainder of the field on Official Ratings and he’s been impressive in two starts already this season, winning a decent staying handicap last time out.

He has race fitness on his side and warrants taking seriously but more is required if he is to get the better of the yard’s first string in this contest.

Filly to follow in the finale

The card closes with a typically competitive handicap and Peri Lina looks overpriced after her excellent effort in a fillies’ Group 2 here last time out.

That wasn’t the strongest race for the grade, but she’s been giving away plenty to her rivals in terms of temperament, refusing to go in the stalls and failing to settle in her races.

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The latter will be helped by a bigger field in today’s contest and she could be hard to keep out of the first four home, available to back at 16/1.

The Selection

Peri Lina – Meydan 6.00 – 16/1 (four places)

1 Point each-way