Angus McNae: my four tips for Meydan on Friday

Meydan and Dundalk feature on the channel on Friday and it's the Dubai International Carnival that attracts my interest. The feature event is the Cape Verdi and I have a selection for that among four tips on the card. 

He seems to give his best when fresh and arriving here after a three-month lay-off should suit him ideally, while it should also be noted that Saeed bin Suroor has a good record with horses off extended breaks. 

Return To Dubai has only had six career starts and may be open to improvement, certainly hinting at better to come when winning in a decent time at Chelmsford last August. That success suggests that his handicap mark of 89 may underestimate him and I believe he can overcome a wide draw in stall 11 and win on his first start in the UAE.

She will be hard to beat. 

Manama Gold was well touted on her debut and duly obliged in taking fashion here on the dirt at Meydan, showing good early speed which is vital on the dirt. She took some time to get organised in the home straight, yet once she changed legs she stormed clear and looked every bit a likely candidate for the UAE 1000 Guineas. That may well be on the agenda providing she passes this test. 

It should be noted that this filly fetched a six figure sum twice at the sales and she is trained by Fawzi Naas, who is in red-hot form. 

The Cape Verdi looks set to be dominated by Charlie Appleby, who saddles Shining Jewel and English Rose. William Buick goes with the latter and I am happy to take the hint. 

She is unbeaten in two starts in the UK, the latest in impressive style at Kempton where she was far too good for her rivals despite carrying a penalty and the third that day has gone on to win since. English Rose displayed a fine turn of foot there having been a bit keen off a steady gallop. 

She has a very good draw in stall 3, which will enable Buick to get some cover behind the leaders before utilising her turn of speed.

He is the class act in this handicap. 

Mysterious Night was a Grade One winner and by six lengths at Woodbine in 2022 and, although he was a shade disappointing in Britain last year, he was highly tried in Grade Two and Grade Three races and must surely go close now for dropping in class to a handicap and from a mark of 106. 

His return in Listed company at Meydan in December showed that he still has an engine and that he may well be returning to form. Indeed, had he not had a wide trip from stall 11 he would have gone very close to winning on that occasion. 

I fancy he can make amends and round off a good day for the Appleby and Buick combination.