3 minute read

And the Balanchine on Friday are the two G2 highlights of this week's International Carnival programs.

The Al Fahidi Fort is over 1600m and sees the first of Michael Freedman's runners from Singapore, the excellently named Always Certain (by Not A Single Doubt) with Vlad Durek to ride. The UK bookies have a bit of uncertainty about this first run in Meydan as opposed to some of the others - Mike de Kock's former O'Briens Master of Hounds favourite at 7/4, and Viscount Nelson who will need longer. Godolphin's Rio de la Plata is totally genuine and is 5/2 (Suroor/Dettori) and their Time Prisoner looks a nice horse (Zarooni-Barzalona) and is 8/1. Worth following Laa Rayb, former Mark Johnston runner now with Druba Selvaratnam and William Buick to ride - 20/1 huge value.

Friday's Balanchine has 10 f&m for the 1800 trip. Mahbooba just got pipped by First City last time - a short head in it - and Mahbooba is expected to get her revenge and is 13/8, First City 4/1. They have Dysphonia 11/4 but we prefer to wait for a run, and don't forget Reem at 12/1.