Angus McNae
Angus McNae's Racing UK Blog
Thursday 27th February 2014
   
Racing UK
It should be another one for the De Kock team

Last week at the Dubai World Cup Carnival the major talking point was the defeat of Certify in the Balanchine Stakes.

I have already given my verdict on that defeat here on the blog in that she is simply all speed and simply did not stay the nine furlongs.
Aside from what happened to Certify, I must mention the ride that Fergal Lynch gave to Elleval in the 10-furlong handicap. Quite simply this was copybook stuff from Lynch. From stall seven he found the rail and then never left it. He did not panic when the gaps failed to open, he did not switch wide looking for room as so many jockeys are tempted to do. He sat still and waited and his patience was soon rewarded as tired horses weakened in front of him.

He then made his move on the talented Elleval to win cosily. It was a brilliant effort on this tight circuit, and a lesson in how to ride the Meydan.

It was no fluke either because he did exactly the same thing earlier at the Carnival on a horse who is rather appropriately called He's no Saint. Lynch may have his faults but it would be naive to fail to recognize his considerable riding talents.

The other notable feature of the action last week was the performance of the inside stalls on the Tapeta. There were just two Tapeta races, and in both an inside trip was vital. In the first of the two over a mile the winner was Avon Pearl, who came from stall three. Van Rooney, the runner-up, emerged from stall one and Ocean Tempest, who was third, came from stall two.

In the other Tapeta contest over 10 furlongs Elleval was the winner from stall seven, but he grabbed the rail straight away under Lynch giving away no ground. The runner-up was Start Right from stall two and the third was Plantagenet from stall three.

This inside dominance is undoubtedly linked to a lack of ground loss on a sharp track, but the track is worth keeping an eye on for there is just a possibility that an inside bias is developing. We obviously do not have enough evidence to say that this is the case, but it is something to bear in mind.

The Group Two Zabeel Mile is the feature event on the card today and I am keen on Mushreq. He ran second in a very good race when second to Mujaarib last time out. That horse went on to run a blinder in defeat last week, thereby adding some worth to the form.

Mushreq is a strong traveller and coming back in trip by a furlong really will suit him. The main danger has to be Mshawish, who was second in Dubai to Anaerobio over seven furlongs and the step up to a mile looks set to suit. He has an obvious chance, but it has to be Mushreq for me and another for the Mike De Kock team.

Angus McNae's Thursday Meydan tips:

5.00 Meydan: Mushreq at 5-2 with bet365 & William Hill