Dubai Carnival tips: Angus McNae's picks for week eight

The Dubai International Carnival is drawing towards a conclusion this week with the Group Two Balanchine Stakes taking centre stage. I have four selections on a day that Godolphin may well dominate and William Buick potentially surge to the head of the jockeys' standings.

2.00 Meydan: Ah Jeez

Doug O'Neill has had six runners at this year's Carnival and already secured a win and a second place. In this modest contest, Ah Jeez can give him another winner on this dirt debut under William Buick.

Ah Jeez won two races in the USA on turf and achieved a decent level of form, yet given his dirt pedigree he promises to be better on this surface. His sire Mendelssohn was a sensational winner of the UAE Derby here on his first start on dirt and Ah Jeez may well improve for the surface.

I think he should be competitive here even if he just runs to the same level of form he has already shown.

3.10 Meydan: Silent Film

He was a good deal better than the bare result when finishing fifth to Shining Blue last time here at Meydan and he looks sure to go close.

Silent Film was poorly drawn in stall 13 on that occasion and was held up while racing wide. He gave away plenty of ground that day and could not reel in the pace-setting winner despite staying on nicely in the closing stages.

From a better draw in stall 2 this time and with William Buick on board, he should be able to adopt a nice handy position and then angle out to attack in the straight. He makes plenty of appeal in a competitive race.

4.20 Meydan: With the Moonlight

She looks way superior to her rivals in this Group Two contest and can supplement her win in the Cape Verdi.

With The Moonlight was only workmanlike in that race, but that run will have blown the cobwebs away and the extra furlong here can only be in her favour. Last season, she won the Saratoga Oaks and ran second in the Belmont Oaks over 9½ furlongs and 10 furlongs respectively and this trip and track look ideal.

With The Moonlight is well drawn in stall 3 and can dominate here to give William Buick another winner.

4.55 Meydan: One Nation

I think he can complete an excellent day for William Buick.

One Nation ran very well when second to the very useful Naval Power here at Meydan last time where he made the running and was only reeled in late on. He had a number of these behind him that day and, although Highbank can get closer this time, the trip may stretch him whereas One Nation is a certain stayer at thid distance.

From a decent draw in stall 4 he is likely to be ridden prominently, which has been a huge advantage on the turf course here this season. He should go close.