SAUDI INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP Rated 105 in Great Britain, he shook off a disappointing first 1 WALKINTHESAND (IRE) effort in Saudi Arabia with a nose victory in a 2100m open race on turf, though still some way off his best form. Won King’s Cup in Bahrain (Local Grade 1) in March last year 2 WHAT A WELCOME (GB) by 5 lengths over 2400m. Has run once since, beaten less than 4 lengths in the Bahrain International Trophy over 2000m. Beaten only a nose by New Show in Bahrain last month in Local 3 DESERT LION (GB) Grade 1. Before that he had won a 0-95 handicap carrying top weight in December by 3 lengths. In fine form in October/November, winning two races over 4 AU COEUR (IRE) 2000m. Not at that level on last three starts and has never won on turf. Winner multiple times in the USA and scored in an open race at 5 SCARS ARE COOL (USA) Riyadh in January. Unproven on turf. Beat Desert Lion and New Show when winning a local Grade 6 RAYOUNPOUR (IRE) 2 in Bahrain in early January over 2400m. However, behind both of them in the Crown Prince Cup over 2000m recently. Won several times on dirt in the USA and has raced only on that 7 PROVEN RESERVES (USA) surface since arriving in Saudi Arabia, best effort when fourth in local Group 3 in January. Keen-going sort has finished second in two of his five starts in 8 ELWAZIR (GB) Saudi Arabia and is a winner on turf in Great Britain. A veteran and a confirmed front runner who ended last year 9 NORAY (FR) with a hat trick of wins and won four times in all in 2020. Stays 2000m and a tough competitor Ran well on Saudi debut when second to one of the leading 10 NICKLAUS (GB) horses trained in the country. Won five times on turf when trained in Great Britain. She won the Czech Oaks in August over 2400m in a close 11 ZARIYANNKA (IRE) finish but with 8 lengths back to the third. Seems sure to be stay- ing on in the latter stages of the contest. A thorough stayer who is trained in Northern Spain. He won at 12 FEDERICO (GB) La Zarzuela racecourse in Madrid in October, his third win in Spain and has also won 7 times in France in his career. Consistent form since arriving in Saudi Arabia, winning open 13 PETRUS (IRE) races in October and December. Another decent effort when third on turf last time. Contested two decent events since arriving in Saudi Arabia, lat- 14 MARRONNIER (IRE) terly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cup. Has good form in the UK but needs to step up to figure here. THE NEOM TURF CUP Been in fine form recently, winning a restricted event in 1 AL HAMDANY (IRE) December. Once finished second in a Listed race on turf but has only ever won on dirt and all-weather surfaces. Switched to front-running tactics, he won two Grade 1 events in 2 CHANNEL MAKER (CAN) New York last year. He may ideally need a longer distance but could be hard to pass if they leave him alone early on. A winner on turf in Great Britain, he impressed on his third 3 EMIRATES KNIGHT (IRE) start in Saudi Arabia when winning a restricted event on dirt by 8 lengths. Group 1 winner in Argentina over 2500m but that was back in 4 FOR THE TOP (ARG) 2018 on dirt. Not so successful since leaving South America but beaten less than a length in this race last year. Very disappointing in two appearances in Saudi Arabia, so per- 5 FOUR WHITE SOCKS (GB) haps she hasn’t enjoyed racing on dirt as she won a race in both Great Britain and Ireland on turf, including a Group 3. Has operated at the highest level on dirt, finishing second in the 6 GRONKOWSKI (USA) 2018 Belmont Stakes and 2019 Dubai World Cup. You will have to go back to 2017 to find his last race on turf. Won twice on turf in 2018 in Great Britain. Has taken a few 7 KUWAIT CURRENCY (USA) starts to get it together on the dirt in Saudi Arabia but has been running creditably in recent outings. Big improver last year as a six-year-old winning four times. Won 8 SALTONSTALL (GB) Listed contest in November at Naas but all his form is over 1600m and question marks about the ground. A winner twice on turf in Great Britain, he got off the mark at the 9 STAR OF WINS (IRE) first attempt in Saudi Arabia in an open race on dirt over 2000m, then contested two local Group 1 events. Strong-finishing type won an open race in November and has 10 STAUNCH (GB) run at least respectably in all four races since. Broke his maiden on turf in Great Britain in 2016. Won maiden by 19 lengths in June, then Group 3 at Glorious 11 TILSIT (USA) Goodwood. Not far behind Kameko and Benbatl in Group 2 at Newmarket in the autumn. Never raced past 1600m. Beat the Australians at Flemington in November in Queen Eliz- 12 TRUE SELF (IRE) abeth Stakes over 2600m. for second consecutive year. Race might be too fast for her here, but fillies allowance handy. THE 1351 TURF SPRINT Ran a fascinating first race in Saudi Arabia in an 1800m 1 CAPTAIN VON TRAPP (USA) restricted event, up with a fast pace and then well clear at one point, only to end up third. Unproven on turf. Last year’s winner thanks to brilliant Dettori ride. Not at his best 2 DARK POWER (USA) in two runs so far this season over 1200m but looks to need this distance nowadays. Will be staying on late. Beaten just over 2 lengths when third to Dark Power in this race 3 GLORIOUS JOURNEY (GB) last year. A regular winner at Newbury over 1400m. Good third in Group 2 at Meydan recently after 3 months off. Likeable sort who wears his heart on his sleeve from the front 4 KRISPEN (IRE) each time he races. Yet to win this season but has run well in two of those contests. A winner on turf in Ireland. Just defeated D’Bai and Glorious Journey in Dubai last month 5 LAND OF LEGENDS (IRE) over 1400m on good ground. Second consecutive year he has won the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort. Finished ninth in this race last year. Hasn’t managed to make 6 LARCHMONT LAD (IRE) much impact in three dirt races this season. Won a Group 2 in Ireland on the grass back in 2018. Successful on two of four starts this season, including local 7 MOMKIN (IRE) Group 3 in December but only ninth at local Group 1 level last time out and rating down to 91 from 92 at entry.. Beat Kameko in Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot as a two year old, 8 ROYAL DORNOCH (IRE) then won a Group 3 in Ireland in August as a three year old. All races in 2020 over 1600m. First run for new trainer. In good form in summer of 2020 when he won a Listed, and 9 SPACE BLUES (IRE) three Group Races culminating in Group 1, Prix Maurice de Gheest. Distance and ground perfect but not run for six months. Yet to race in Saudi Arabia, he was last seen finishing fourth, not 10 URBAN ICON (GB) beaten far, in a Group 2 at Doncaster over seven furlongs. Won three races in the USA, including a Black Type event. Has 11 AVALINA (USA) also run well when finishing in the first three in both outings in Saudi Arabia, but yet to race on turf. THE RED SEA TURF HANDICAP Won this race last year carrying 60.5kgs so has 1.5kgs more to 1 CALL THE WIND (GB) carry this time. A model of consistency in that he has run in twelve Pattern Races and never been out of the first four. Has top class form on three continents and is 0.5kg better off at 2 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) the weights with Call The Wind this year. Has been placed in the Melbourne Cup in each of the last three years. A Group 3 winner in Dubai a year ago and ran well to be fourth 3 SECRET ADVISOR (FR) in Munich in a Group 1 in November on unsuitable heavy ground. Second in the two biggest races in Argentina in 2019/20 but 4 MIRINAQUE (ARG) not as good when moved to USA for the second half of the year. Has a chance if he stays and recaptures his old form. Best run in 2020 was second in Sagaro Stakes at Newmarket 5 MILDENBERGER (GB) just ahead of Prince of Arran but getting 1.5kgs from him. Recently won minor race at Wolverhampton on all weather. Fourth in Irish St Leger (Group 1) in September, but below his 6 BARBADOS (IRE) best at Longchamp in October on unsuitable heavy ground. Certain to stay 3000m but hasn’t won for nearly two years. As usual, slow to leave the stalls when second beaten 2 lengths 7 MEKONG (GB) by Call The Wind here in 2020 and now 2 kgs better off with him. Beaten 20l in recent prep run at Wolverhampton. In top form in August/September when winning at Chester and 8 SPANISH MISSION (USA) then the Doncaster Cup. No problem with the distance as stays further.