Oct 17 Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) form analysis

RACE 1 (1,600m)

(4) MARMAR ALKHALEDIAH is a highly rated filly who has placed in Open company at Taif this summer. Disappointing last time over 2,000m but should relish the cut-back in distance.

(5) SHATHRT ALQARNAYN is a one-paced performer with an inconsistent profile. Struggled in Open company this summer and would be better suited by a return to a longer trip, but still has form claims.

(10) MUNA is an exposed seven-year-old mare whose sole success came in February 2023. Boasts some form that gives her leading claims, but she is becoming hard to trust.

(1) AL AMBHRA is a consistent customer over this kind of trip but finds it difficult to get her head in front. Has not been seen since February and unlikely to be fit enough to win this.

RACE 2 (1,600m)

(6) FAHAD AL MUAWD is a highly rated performer who is effective over a variety of trips. His recent fourth-placed finish in Listed company at Taif makes him the horse to beat by some margin.

(9) MIRBAA ALKHALEDIAH is a Taif winner who remains relatively unexposed after just seven starts. Far from disgraced in a couple of conditions races over the summer and warrants a second look.

(11)THAYER ATHBAH is a deep-closing type with winning course-and-distance form courtesy of a 75-90 handicap success last season. Not without a chance.

(10) RB DOUGLAS is a US-bred Arabian who won a maiden at Sam Houston Park in January. Has not been seen since and now makes local debut for new connections.

RACE 3 (1,200m)

(8) ETIMADAT is a speedy and scopey filly representing leading connections. Did not stay 1,600m at Taif last time after leading for a long way, but you should expect a good display over this distance.

(18) TAHAK KOM is a pricey US$100,000 (S$130,000) purchase with a glorious dirt pedigree. Looks a major player on local debut with leading rider booked.

(14) OM ALTHAHAB is a speedy filly who ran an encouraging race to finish third over 1,400m on debut in October 2024. Endured a wide trip from a poor draw on her second outing and now looks to bounce back.

(4) ATAYEB made a relatively encouraging start to her career at this track last season, but she failed to feature on her final start in March and now returns from seven months off.

RACE 4 (1,200m)

(16) ANOOD ALRIYADH flew home from off the pace to finish third over this course and distance in December. Leading player if returning in the same vein of form.

(18) THOUGHTS'N PRAYERS is an Irish recruit who finished weakly on her two outings here at the backend of last season. Do not be surprised if she shapes better on Oct 17.

(15) WAHDAAN plugged on to finish third of 20 over 1,400m here in February. Outclassed in a sales race when last seen in March and now returns from a long absence.

(5) HADDAJ was sent off favourite on both starts for trainer Andre Fabre in France, but failed to justify his price. Debuts for local trainer and tries dirt for the first time.

RACE 5 (1,200m)

(6) GANABI is a useful performer who won successive conditions races (1,200m/1,600m) here last season. Pitched into Cup company thereafter and did not fare terribly. Returns from a layoff off a workable mark.

(1) IBN ALMOLHIB was a course-and-distance winner in this grade in November 2024. Subsequently ran well at higher levels and has to be considered a major player if returning in the same form.

(5) HENA ALJOOD is an unexposed filly who has won three of her five starts over this 1,200m trip. Has the benefit of fitness after a spell in Taif and therefore should go close.

(2) MOTAWASSI is a precocious type who has not progressed since his juvenile campaign. Struggled in handicap and Cup company at Taif this summer but frankly he has to be respected due to his connections.

RACE 6 (1,400m)

(2) TWAHJR is a steadily improving filly who notched an impressive five-length victory in a 1,400m sales race at Taif in August. She is not without claims.

(8) TUNIR was badly bumped at the gates on debut at Taif. Worth another chance for leading connections.

(4) FAJR ALENAYA is an unraced Closing Bell filly out of a local-bred mare who won once from 24 outings. Connections have booked a leading rider for her debut.

(7) MOQANTARAH is an unraced Worldly filly out of a talented US-bred mare. Likely to have some talent if her pedigree is anything to go by.

RACE 7 (1,800m)

(3) ASHJAA is a two-time course-and-distance winner who returned from a long absence to win a Cup contest in January. Dangerous after another break.

(4) ISTITA'AEH is a classy filly who has been solely campaigned over 1,600m to date. Should be fit after two Taif spins and looks the biggest challenger to Ashjaa.

(8) IBN LABOUN is a strong stayer who should be vying for a place despite this inadequate trip. Has not won since his maiden victory in November 2021.

(1) AKHO NOOF is a course-and-distance winner in January 2024. Long spell without a victory since then and would be more competitive in a lower-grade handicap.

RACE 8 (1,600m)

(2) WAQTUK is a classy colt who won two Open contests at Taif this summer. Successful in Group 3 company at Riyadh last term and he appears the horse to beat with fitness on his side.

(1) DAAHI is a three-time course winner which includes a victory over this distance in Open company last season. Won fresh last season, so he is expected to go well on Oct 17.

(6) MULLAZEM is a dual course-and-distance winner with creditable form claims in this company. Finished fifth behind Waqtuk on his seasonal reappearance but should not be discounted.

(3) YA DAR is a four-time winner who bounced back to form with a 1,600m Open victory at Taif in August. Should be prominent from the start from his wide draw.

RACE 9 (1,600m)

(12) NOOR ALMADINAH is an unraced City Of Light colt out of a US-bred mare who failed to win in two attempts. Cost US$275,000 (S$356,000) as a breeze-up purchase last season.

(17) SHOBASH is an unraced Maclean's Music colt out of a US-bred mare who failed to win in two starts. Cost US$366,000 and could be above average.

(8) KING'S ROAD is a speedy US import who cost US$525,000 as a yearling, before being resold to these connections for US$70,000. Boasts place claims.

(10) MAHSHOOM is an unraced Night Of Thunder colt out of an unraced UK-bred mare. Has joined leading connections and should not be overlooked.

RACE 10 (1,600m)

(3) AL THARB flew home from off the pace to finish second over 1,400m on debut at Taif. Looked raw and inexperienced that day and should have improved since.

(2) NAZAH is a useful gelding who bumped into a very talented rival on debut, before securing his first victory with ease over 1,600m in September. Major player if translating his form to Riyadh.

(8) MASHAKELL SEVEN has progressed for each outing at Taif this summer and was not disgraced when third of 12 over this trip last time.

(1) BA'AMRAK is a lightly raced son of Commend who showed tenacity to get off the mark at the third attempt at Taif this summer over 1,400m. Stable second string.

RACE 11 (1,600m)

(6) SHIBL OMAR's sole victory from 15 outings came in a course-and-distance maiden here in January. Runner-up in this grade on his most recent start and kept on the same mark.

(2) SHAGHIL ALBAAL is a lightly raced colt who finished well from off the pace to win a 0-70 handicap at Taif in September. Should stay this longer trip but is 9 pounds (4kg) heavier in the weights.

(4) KHABERNI is a one-paced stayer who is rounding into form after a spell at Taif this summer. He has dropped down to a workable mark and should play a major role.

(1) MOTAKHEM's most recent victory came off a mark of 75 in this grade in March 2024. Dropped to a workable rating after below-par efforts to end last season.

RACE 12 (2,400m)

(3) MOORE'S LAW is a US recruit who finished fifth of 17 in a Listed contest on local debut in March. Ran well for third of 13 at Taif on his return and may go two places better.

(5) CAUSEWAY is a course-and-distance winner with solid form claims in this company. Competitive in deep Cup races at Taif this summer and obviously warrants a second look.

(4) QONTAR is a heavily raced performer who has been posting career-best displays at Taif this summer. Cannot be written off as a result.

(1) WALTER HARTRIGHT is a four-time winner in the UK for trainer Ed Dunlop, three of which came over this trip. Purchased for 100,000 guineas last October but yet to show his form locally.

Comments courtesy of Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia