Angus McNae's Friday tips: best bets at Meydan

It is something of a clue as to this horse's ability that he has been kept in training with Charlie Appleby when only rated 85 and having not raced for a year.

He returns off top weight in a modest handicap and, given that he had a profile of gradual improvement when last seen, he will be expected to win this before contesting higher grade handicaps.

When last seen in action, he finished second to Molveno at Kempton who went on to win the Group Two Italian Derby, collateral form that cannot be matched by any of his rivals today. 

Indian Springs just failed to beat the useful Two Tribes here two weeks ago and, in a slightly weaker contest, can get his head in front this time.

Both he and Two Tribes deserve extra credit for making their efforts from the rear of the field in an evenly run contest. This was a career best from Indian Springs, suggesting that he is still progressing and he will be sharper for the run. He can give William Buick and Charlie Appleby yet another win on the turf at Meydan. 

Dubai Beach takes a step up in Grade from a handicap last time out to a Grade Two, but this is a sub - standard renewal of the Cape Verdi and Dubai Beach has plenty of potential.

She impressed with a sharp turn of foot when winning three times on the all-weather last year, but was unable to repeat those efforts on her Meydan debut when forced very wide in a Listed contest.

She bounced back to form when narrowly beaten in a competitive handicap last time out where she travelled well and hit the line strongly. There is more to come from this lightly raced mare and she can land this.

With an excellent run behind him here at Meydan on Festive Friday when finishing second in a competitive handicap, Asgard's Captain can take a step forward and land the final race on the card. He won a very competitive Class 2 Handicap at York last year and is a consistent and genuine horse.

He gets to race off the same mark as last time out (91) and By The Book, who beat him last time out, is better than a handicapper and time may tell that being beaten by him is far from a disgrace. He can provide Dylan Cunha with another Carnival winner.