Bets 16/01/2026

These handicaps are getting harder with more and more international runners meaning more and more formlines to assess. Ran out of time to write up.

1.30 Meydan - Very tricky this one. Daarkom would probably be the one, but not having it from the draw. Open Mind is best on numbers, but draw not great either and will wait till SBS hits form before backing his. Second best on numbers is Jumaira Bay. Maybe could have won 2 or 3 C&D handicaps, but sometimes misses the break and sometimes hits traffic. If doesn't miss the break and Pat can guide this one through the maze without getting blocked can win this. Jungle Mac was next on list.

Jumaira Bay 15/2 0.5pt ew

2.40 Meydan - Annoyingly missed the 25/1 on War Socks. One tracked from last year for a C&D handicap. May need the run and trainer not in great form but still worth a play at 14s. Laneqash the most likely winner on current form. Interested to see Hawksbill run today.

Laneqash 4/1 0.75pt win

War Socks 14/1 0.25pt win

3.15 Meydan - Nothing massively sticks out at a price and Becalli the obvious choice. Million Doro if bounces to form the most likely

Million Doro 8/1 0.75pt win

Becalli Million Doro 0.25pf fc

3.50 - No bet

4.25 - Hard to find anything to beat Indian Springs today. Righthere Rightnow maybe the most likely with Hassim. Yotarid ties in with the Hassim form and also a big price. Small play on Hassim

Hassim 50/1 0.25pt ew (4p)

5.00 - Quid Pro Quo the likely winner, but chance taken on outsider who has posted decent numbers. Risk will need the run

Captaina Bling 50/1 0.25pt ew

5.35 - Labwah to make all

Labwah 0.5 pt win

6.10 - Folk Festival and Cavallo Bay drew outside stalls so a chance on 

Native Approach 12/1 0.5p ew (4p)

6.40 - On numbers Claymore looks very good. SBS ridden this to win a G1. Risk needs run. 

Claymore 14/1 0.5pt ew (4p)

Bets 09/01/2026

1.30 Meydan - I assume pace will come from stall 1 (Kalisda) and 2 (Rebatt), both of whom have the capability to win off these marks. Eye on the Prize and Elenjob from 3 and 4 bring decent enough from from behind Silver Sword. Sean remains the best on numbers all round on best form, but last two runs have been average. Sudden Ambush is next on numbers. Always runs on too late though. 

This is hugely open. If Eye on The Prize had a better jockey I'd be sold, but I don't know who this guy is and has not won at Meydan before. Given I think there will be a stronger pace today I'm willing to give Sean one more go. So far ahead on numbers (other than recent form).

Sean 8/1 0.5pt win

2.05 Meydan - Awesome Fleet is best on numbers. Most are still unexposed, still improving and so hard to be nailed on here esp as could make a case for many like Na Eem and Rashwan. Looking for some ew value in this and landed on Brnytshe. Decent dirt trial and form not bad. Not so good on turf, but back on dirt, the Shoe onboard, decent draw, could easily spring  surprise.

Brnytshe 16/1 0.5pt ew

2.40 Meydan - Focussing on those drawn low, Molaqab looks to have a decent chance here. Transcending Glory the threat. 

Molaqab 7/1 0.5pt ew 5p

3.15 Meydan - Had this between Gray Boss and Force and Valour. Given the draw will side with F&V.

Force and Valour 9/2 0.5pt ew

3.50 Meydan - Words of Truth long was clear on numbers.

Words of Truth 5/6 1pt win

4.25 - Meydan - Looks between Mothecombe and Fort George. Flight Plan will try to make all and keep the pace honest. Will likely go close. At a whopping ew price See Hector is the value play. Wouldn't rule out a tricast with these 4 in the mix.

See Hector 40/1 0.5pt ew 4p

5.00 Meydan - Sound Money clear on numbers but can't know if fit. Echo Point not sure is well handicapped. Cats By Five looks the best value at 4/1 and should finish home strongly.

Cats By Five 7/2 1pt win

5.35 Meydan - Rappers Delight looks to have plenty in hand. Sire is 3/5 at Meydan. Saffie needs to ride this prominently and hope can get across to the faster middle part of track. 

Rappers Delight 7/2 1pt win 

6.10 Meydan - I backed Ocean Viking (before boss warned me about ground) so won't put it up, but having looked at the card now Wanees looks good ew value and Carron the main danger with Olympic Candle.

Carron 4/1 0.5pt win

Wanees 11/1 0.5pt ew 5p

Rappers Delight / Words of Truth 1pt Double

Bets 02/01/2026

Meydan 1.30 - Appleby holds a strong hand and stable form is hot but backed Sean and Green Triangle last out and not giving up on them. Arabian Light and Bedioun been drawn wide, Alpine Trail likely best handiapped of the four, but been gelded and long absenc. Green Triangle missed the break and was flying home lto and Sean met trouble lto but made up most ground from the back and still is best on numbers all round. Would have beaten Arabian Light last time they met here if not for traffic issues and now has a 13lb pull. Rock of Cashel potentially a blot, but two enough.

Sean 25/1ew 0.5pts ew 4p

Green Triangle 16/1ew 0.5pts ew 4p

Meydan 2.05 - Questions about many of these and I think it's Welcome Dreams to lose.

Welcome Dream 7/2 1pt win

Meydan 2.40 - Spencer brought them all over! Interesting. Hassim was a big price place for me last time and I think would have won (beaten Yotarid and Rightherrightnow, who both 7/1 today) if better drawn and not hampered. Better draw today so let's go. Indian Springs is a good way ahead of mark but dropping in trip. Of all the Spencer runners I think Two Tribes is the most likely. Billy will need to switch over but decent animal winning 2 major handicaps.

Hassim 12/1ew 0.5pts ew 4p

Two Tribes 0.5pts ew 4p

Meydan 3.15 - Disaster. The 3 I earmarked are drawn the widest in 13,14 and 15 and the horse I didn't want drawn 1 got 1. Callahan has some decent form and could make all. Assuming is still improving could really surprise some. 15 runners and only 3 places on offer which is naff so staying out of this one.

No bet

Meydan 3.50 - Dark Saffron's to lose. I think El Nasseeb had the race set up for him perfectly lto and not 100pc likely to get it again.

Dark Saffron 9/4 1pt win

Meydan 4.25 - Amori City, Quddwah and Holloway Boy all have strong claims. All around the 2/1 mark so no value here for me. 

No bet

Meydan 5.00 - Lino Padrino and Al Khawaneej both tracked from earlier are running. Missed 50/1 on Al Khawaneej!!! I really like Lino Pastrino though and think will be  live player for the Guineas in few weeks. Legaliized could be anything but thankfully is drawn 14.

Lino Padrino 3/1 1pt win

Meydan 5.35 - Nightwalker has always looked like the step up in trip would bring out improvement. If this were a handicap would back this for sure, but has a lot to find still with Meydan and Endless Victory who again both around the 2/1 mark so no bet again

No bet

Dark Saffron, Lino Padrino, Welcome Dream 50/1 0.25pt

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Wolves 6.30 - Straight A 5/1

Wolves 7.00 - Boubyan 14/1ew

Bets 01/01/2026

3.34 Newcastle - Juan Les Pins 16/1ew. Hoping break put the fire back in this one. Mega unlucky in 3 races earlier in the year and mark continues to drop. Surely going to win one soon. Best on numbers all round.

Juan Les Pins 16/1ew

4.05 Newcastle - Couple here that look plotted up. Francesici and Qazaq. The former doesn't have the draw to front run and few others that ill take it on. Qazaq was a decent sort first 3 races for Varian. Lost way for a while but watching last race and the money that's come for this could have been lined up for this.

Qazaq 6/1ew

4.35 Newcastle - No Nay Nevermind. Punting for a Jardine double. Step up in trip is perfect.

No Nay Nevermind 9/1ew

5.05 Newcastle - Yellow Lemons is a mental price. If doesn't miss the break is going to go very close. At 20's willing to chance it. Brave Bob at 20s tempting too, but stick with one.

Yellow Lemons 20/1ew