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3.35
The opening contest of the evening is a particularly difficult event to try and solve as most of the field look open to improvement and have the potential to be top class animals. However, one that has already proven himself at the top level is VALE OF YORK. Saeed bin Suroor’s three-year-old was a decent winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile back in November and, if he is fit for his seasonal debut, he ought to be the one to beat. His stable mate Mendip won a Conditions race here earlier in the Carnival in good style and Frankie’s mount is definitely in with a chance. Another one to keep an eye on is John Gosden’s Kona Coast, who may put in a big run at a rather large price.

 4.15
WAR ARTIST was most impressive when coming home in front here last month and it would be surprising not to see him get his head in front once again. James Eustace’s speed merchant undoubtedly has his sights set on Dubai World Cup night, where he is likely to be a leading fancy in one of the sprints, but he won’t take this for granted and could be the banker of the night. Godolphin’s sole representative Desert Party was a revelation at last year’s Carnival but he was well and truly stuffed in the Kentucky Derby on his latest start and he may be better over a longer trip.

4.50
Calming Influence could not have won more easily when taking a handicap here a fortnight ago but he does have his quirks and may be best watched on his return to Pattern race company. Therefore, preference is for his stable mate SKYSURFERS. It was virtually impossible not to be taken by his commanding victory in a Conditions race over course and distance just over a week ago and this seems to be the ideal prep run for a shot at either the Godolphin Mile or the Dubai World Cup itself. Another course and distance winner, Al Arab, is in with a chance if able to reproduce the form that saw him win a competitive handicap in early February as is Jeremy Noseda’s Forgotten Voice who was only narrowly beaten on Meydan’s opening night.

5.35
Purple Moon has been off the track since finishing a very close third in the Dubai Sheema Classic at last year’s Carnival and may just need the run on his reappearance. Nevertheless, he is still a class act and should be in the mix at the finish. However, preference is for CAMPANOLOGIST. Saeed bin Suroor’s inmate has shown his best form over this evening’s trip and had a solid campaign last season despite only managing to get his head in front on one lone occasion. His campaign ended in disappointing fashion somewhat as he finished well down the field in the Champion Stakes but he is much better than that effort suggests and tonight could be the ideal opportunity for him to get back on track.

6.10
Jointly the top rated horse in the field, the Japan Cup winner Vodka makes her Meydan debut this evening but she may be best watched as her main target at the Carnival looks to be the Dubai World Cup. Another that has the World Cup on his schedule is CAVALRYMAN. A more than respectable effort in the Arc saw him finish less than three lengths behind possibly the greatest racehorse of all time in Sea The Stars and, with the odds of him running into another superstar of that calibre in this contest being very slim, he looks to be the obvious choice in the third round of the Al Maktoum challenge. Dual Carnival winners Allybar and Lizard’s Desire have done very little wrong of late so should be disregarded from the equation at your peril.

6.45
Former Mick Channon yardstick Lahaleeb will be making her debut for her new connections this evening and is given a chance in the finale when taking into account her Grade 1 success at Woodbine back in the autumn. Despite the fact that he has never managed to get his head in front at this level, ALEXANDROS is fancied to notch up his second win in a row at Meydan. Godolphin’s five-year-old was most impressive on his latest outing and looked to be on the up again following a disappointing showing in the Hong Kong Mile. Home-based runner Presvis cannot be discounted but his heavy defeat here earlier in the season was less than satisfactory and, although a slowly run three horse contest did not help him one bit, he still needs to show that he is at the top of his game to be fancied this evening off of top weight.