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Burj Nahaar - Form Comments

04/03/2016

G3 - 1600m – Dirt

1

Ross

This German-trained colt showed courage to twice gain narrow victories over 1500m on the Deauville polytrack surface late last year, latterly at Listed level. He made an encouraging start on the Meydan dirt when finishing strongly in a 1400m handicap in January, but although only beaten a similar margin in a 1600m handicap subsequently, that effort didn't look so eyecatching. More to do here.

2

Layl

Ran a good third in this event last year, and ran easily his best race since when only just failing to catch today's rival Le Bernardin -who had stolen a clear lead turning into the straight- in a G2 over this course and distance in January. Not so good behind US star Frosted last time and, because he lacks gate speed, his low stall here is unlikely to be much of an advantage.

3

Cool Cowboy

Along with his stable he's been in very good form at Meydan over the past few months. He dominated his rivals in the closing stages of a handicap over 1400m in January and only failed narrowly in a stronger handicap - over this distance - since.  This strong horse proved he lasts this trip that day and seems to get on really well with jockey Pat Dobbs.

4

Over the Ocean

Has some solid winning form in Sweden, though horses from that part of the world have rarely made much impact at Meydan. He has competed five times here in all and perhaps the best of those was when third over 1400m in a dirt handicap last month. He looked quirky then however, not keen on entering the gates but quickly leading in the race before losing his place and running on again when it was too late. Not an obvious player for the winner's money.

5

God’s Speed

Withdrawn

6

Mind That Boy

A lightly-raced ex-French-trained colt whose two wins in France both came on all-weather surfaces. However he has only beaten one rival to the wire in his  latest two starts at Meydan in 2016 - though he did show some promise in a handicap back in January  - so it is quite hard to make a serious winning case for Mickael Barzalona's mount in this G3 clash.

7

Long River

Formerly trained in the USA where he was particularly effective on Aqueduct's dirt surface at around this distance. Beaten a long way in both starts here last year - admittedly both in G1 company - and also struggling in three starts here in 2016 - perhaps showing a little more sparkle on his most recent start when 4th of 14 in a dirt handicap over further than this.

8

Le Bernardin

Very effective on Meydan's dirt surface at around this distance, and though he likes to dominate he did very well to hold off Layl, a rival here, in a G2 back in January when having to fight hard for the lead. Not quite as good in one start since, again unable to grab an early lead. His gate might again make early domination tricky but he's a tough horse who has a respectable winning chance on the ratings.

9

Top Clearance

Had some strong form on the dirt at around this distance in the USA last year and his victory in a handicap here in January suggested that he has quickly acclimatized to these conditions. However that was not a strong event and the weights for this G3 would technically give Mind That Boy - 4th that day - a chance of reversing the form. He didn't have a good trip last time, racing wide all the way.

 

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