Meydan tips: Angus McNae's best bets for Friday's action

Hidden Secret drops back in trip to seven furlongs after failing to stay 1m1½f here at Meydan last time out.

He has form over this trip, and is a strong-travelling type who is suited to the dirt plus brings placed handicap form into a weak maiden. 

Despite his wide draw, I expect him to dominate this field from the front, and lose his maiden tag. 

Desperate Hero did us a favour when scoring at odds of 20-1 for this column this month, and I believe he can strike again, despite a rise in the weights plus the slight drop in trip.

He has been raised 8lb to a mark of 95 but, given the authority of his victory last time out, that should not stop him. 

A change to more patient tactics has helped him, and we should not forget that he beat subsequent Group One winner American Affair easily at Hamilton last season when giving him weight. Desperate Hero then went on to finish fourth in the Prix De L'Abbaye at Longchamp, so has strong form.

This well-bred filly impressed when she won on her debut at Yarmouth in October, and is immediately upped in Grade to a Group Two here. 

That step up in class is fully justified when you look at the time of her Yarmouth victory, and the triple-digit speed figure that she produced. 

None of her rivals here have been able to run as fast as her so far in their careers, and the suspicion has to be that her presence in this class so early in her career is indicative of her ability. 

It's hard to ignore the claims of this contender, given his taking seven-length success on debut at Meydan. 

He tanked along that day, was always handy, and powered clear of his rivals in the style of a three-year-old who could go on to win much better races. 

It is not fanciful to think that we may see him in the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night, with this contest an experience-gathering stepping stone. 

This very useful handicapper shaped nicely on his Meydan debut where a steady pace mitigated against his hold-up style. 

That was his first run for four months, and he is likely to be sharper for that effort. He has some excellent high-end handicap form in Britain and Ireland next to his name, and that should translate well to this Group Three, which does not look the strongest contest.

The booking of Tom Marquand also catches the eye.