 Expert - Bill Esdaile | |
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| Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races. | |
Expert Column for Al Maktoum Challenge Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)
S1-1 Al Maktoum Challenge
KABIRKHAN won last season’s renewal of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, run over 1900m on Meydan’s dirt track. It marked the culmination of an incredible rise for the horse from Kazakhstan that had raced solely in his home country and Russia only six months before his G1 victory in Dubai. However, he couldn’t follow up in the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) on his final start, finishing in eighth behind winner LAUREL RIVER, and hasn’t been seen on the track since then. That means he has a long absence to overcome if he is to become the back-to-back winner of this race, and while he tends to go well when fresh, he might find a race-fit rival too strong.
WALK OF STARS finished over five lengths behind KABIRKHAN in this contest last year but has returned this season with two excellent performances. Bhupat Seemar’s 6YO was narrowly beaten on his reappearance in a Listed race (1600m) at Meydan, when staying on strongly over what was an inadequate trip. The winner has since gone on to win a G2 in impressive style, giving the form a strong look. Upped to 1900m in another Listed race last time out he made light work of his rivals, stretching 11 lengths clear and recording a career-best performance. He should be ready for this race.
Undoubtably the class horse in this contest is French trainer Jerome Reynier’s FACTEUR CHEVAL, who won the G1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night last March. If he can transfer that form to dirt then he would prove difficult to beat but as is often the case with turf horses taking on experienced dirt performers, particularly on their first encounter with the surface, it doesn’t always work out that way.
Another horse from the Seemar yard that could have a part to play is IMPERIAL EMPEROR. This 5YO looks to have improved this year, winning two 1600m contests at Meydan in good style. He has untapped potential now stepping up in trip, and while he will need to improve now into G1 company that’s not out of the question on only his ninth start.
GENEROUS TIPPER has transferred to trainer Hamad Al Jehani having won the Discovery Stakes (1800m) at Belmont At The Big A in America on his last start. If ready to go on his first start in the UAE, then he could also be involved for the places.
SELECTIONS: 10. WALK OF STARS, 6. KABIRKHAN, 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 5. IMPERIAL EMPEROR & 12. GENEROUS TIPPER
DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 10. WALK OF STARS & 6. KABIRKHAN
S1-2: Multiple – 7. ROMANTIC WARRIOR & 4. MEASURED TIME
S1-2 Jebel Hatta
The Jebel Hatta is a G1 event over 1800m at Meydan, featuring a host of class entrants, none more eye-catching than ROMANTIC WARRIOR. The Hong Kong-trained runner is a true international superstar and multiple G1 winner, last seen when winning the Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December. Danny Shum’s 7YO was making history that day as the first horse to win three Hong Kong Cups in a row, and he was very dominant over his opposition as he so regularly is. ROMANTIC WARRIOR brings by far the best form to the table and looks to set to make his first run in Dubai a winning one.
While MEASURED TIME will do well to beat the Hong Kong raider, he has the ability to hit the frame. Charlie Appleby’s 5YO is lightly raced for his age but already has two G1 victories to his name, including in this event last year. That day he was a ready winner and since he has won the G1 Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga over 1900m. His seven-length victory on reappearance this term over course and distance last month shows he more than retains his ability and he’ll go well again here.
OTTOMAN FLEET was a length-and-three-quarters behind MEASURED TIME in this race last year and on that form must be respected again. Charlie Appleby’s 6YO has built up an admirable international racing record, with Graded wins coming over 1800m and 1900m at Newmarket and Churchill Downs last year. His 2025 debut was satisfactory behind the reopposing POKER FACE in the G2 Zabeel Mile (1600m) earlier this month and you can expect him to improve for the 1800m trip here.
The aforementioned POKER FACE should not be disregarded from making the frame either. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, he has made himself a regular feature in Group races between 1600m and 2100m in the past three seasons in the UK and abroad. His referenced defeat of OTTOMAN FLEET earlier this month is encouraging form and while he’s most effective over 1600m, he is still able to operate over 1800m.
Another contender who was behind POKER FACE at Meydan this month is ROYAL DUBAI. Lucie Botti’s contender has strong experience of racing at Meydan and has looked promising in two starts this term, behind both POKER FACE and MEASURED TIME. He’ll be up against it to win but he could run well nonetheless.
SELECTIONS: 7. ROMANTIC WARRIOR, 4. MEASURED TIME, 5. OTTOMAN FLEET, 6. POKER FACE & 8. ROYAL DUBAI
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