Oct 24 Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) form analysis

RACE 1 (1,200m)

(6) SHAHM HABS built on a promising debut fifth at Taif by winning over 1,600m last week. In great form and has the required speed to be effective over this distance.

(5) RB DOUGLAS is a US import who ran fourth to Shahm Habs over 1,600m last week. Could be helped by this shorter trip but unlikely to reverse that form.

(4) NAYEL HAMAS is a lightly raced colt who won on debut over 1,400m here in January. Shaped fairly in two subsequent outings and warrants a second look.

(14) RIANA is a highly rated filly but she is yet to win in 17 tries. Runner-up on her sole try over this trip and she may come on from that.

RACE 2 (1,600m)

(1) TARWA MADISON was strong at the finish when winning over 1,800m here last season and added another success earlier this term. Recent efforts have been lacklustre but she could bounce back.

(4) LOKA DES VIALETTES is an unexposed type who has improved this season. She followed a 1,400m maiden win at Taif in August with two seconds in handicap company. Major player in this grade.

(5) MAITHAB ALZAAMILIH was a debut winner over 1,200m in March 2024. Has not won in seven subsequent outings and now returns from a lengthy break.

(6) PRINCESS MU AZZAZ is a two-time winner from 26 appearances, but yet to strike at this course. Drops in distance for her seasonal reappearance.

RACE 3 (1,200m)

(4) TCHAIKOVSKY is a promising type early in his career but has not built on that locally. Possesses huge amounts of early speed and could go close from a nice draw.

(7) SAM SIX recorded a course-and-distance victory in a 0-85 handicap in January. Relatively lightly raced since and not without a chance.

(14) SALE LEASEBACK is an interesting US import who won a maiden claimer when last seen 12 months ago. Purchased for US$35,000 (S$45,400) and now makes local debut.

(5) VARDEN is a two-time Taif winner in July 2024 who has not struck since. Fair efforts in handicap company this summer but switching to Riyadh may not help.

RACE 4 (1,400m)

(5) MAEYEEY is an unraced Commend colt out of a French-bred mare. Precocious pedigree and could be a player on debut.

(4) FAYIZ ALMUHAMADIH is an unraced Semper Fortis colt out of a four-time-winning mare. Leading jockey takes the mount.

(10) TAYES showed notable improvement from first to second start when fourth over 1,600m at Taif last month. Endured a wide trip that day and can do better.

(7) PRACTICAL is an unraced Practical Joke colt out of a US-bred mare who won once from four starts. Tongue-tie fitted for debut.

RACE 5 (1,400m)

(6) FAKHR ALHIJAZ is a long-standing maiden who has placed three times over this trip. Ran fairly in a Taif maiden in September and should be there or thereabouts in this company.

(3) ARKAAN ALDER'EYAH has an inconsistent profile and lacks early speed. Made some late headway over this trip at Taif last month and not without a chance if there is a pace collapse.

(12) THAYEB is a nine-race maiden with solid course form over sprinting trips last season. Clearly was not at his best at Taif but may be rejuvenated by the return here.

(16) NAQOSH is a deep-closing performer who was seen at his best on turf last winter. Returns to action on dirt and may need this run.

RACE 6 (1,400m)

(6) MAKARM is a long-standing maiden who has placed three times over this trip. Ran fairly in a Taif maiden in September and should be there or thereabouts in this company.

(3) CITOLE has an inconsistent profile and lacks early speed. Made some late headway over this trip at Taif last month and is not without a chance if there happens to be a pace collapse.

(12) POR SUERTE is a nine-race maiden with solid course form over sprints last season. Clearly was not at his best at Taif but may be rejuvenated by the return.

(16) SELHAAM is a deep-closing performer who was seen at his best on turf last winter. Returns to action on dirt and may need this run.

RACE 7 (2,000m)

(1) ABO SHAIKHAH is a classy stayer with eight course wins to his name. He ended last season on a stale note, but this is a great spot to start on a winning note.

(3) MORODAN is a gutsy stayer with three wins from nine outings. Comes here fit after four Taif runs and deserves consideration.

(8) MANA'AEH is a lightly raced filly who got off the mark at the eighth attempt at Taif in August. Needs to prove she stays this far but not without place claims.

(7) KHALED ALAEZ is a twice runner-up here last season over this trip. Lacks the quality of the market protagonists but could outstay others for a place.

RACE 8 (1,800m)

(8) YAROA is unbeaten. He won the Group 3 Ministry Of Defence Cup on his second start and a Group 1 in January. One of the most exciting horses in the country. Africa Cup is his for the taking.

(2) ALJAMAANEE is a 10-time winner with wins over trips ranging from 1,400m to 2,000m. Race-fit after two starts at Taif and will be partnered by a leading rider.

(6) MASHMOOKH is an extremely strong stayer with numerous victories over 2,400m to his name. This trip is on the sharp side for him.

(3) FARE'A ALENAYA ended last season in fantastic form with Open and handicap wins at this course. Returns from eight months off and looks a place contender.

RACE 9 (1,800m)

(5) KUL ALSHUKR is a well-bred colt who bolted up over course and distance on debut in March. May have needed the run on his Taif return but can improve.

(2) ALKOMNDAAN is successful in a 1,600m maiden here in March and appears to have trained on given his two solid performances in Taif this summer. Worth a second look.

(8) WARED ALDER'EYAH has built on a solid debut fifth in August with a workmanlike success over 1,600m at Taif last month. Riyadh debut.

(4) IBN ALREEB impressed with a game display to win over 1,600m last December. Inconsistent performances since and may want a drop in trip.

RACE 10 (1,600m)

(4) CARMEL ROAD is a smart US import who won the Listed King Faisal Cup in January 2024. Did not match that form in four runs last year and can improve.

(16) UNCLE is a consistent gelding who finds it difficult to win but is always there fighting. Has the benefit of fitness on his side after several Taif outings.

(6) DEFUNDED is a highly rated US import who won the UK Cup last November. Only 10th of 14 in the Saudi Cup in March. Can get his new season under way.

(2) AJWADI is a hugely talented miler who scored in Group 2 company in January. Returned with an Open strike at Taif and ran fairly in two subsequent starts. Place candidate.

RACE 11 (1,800m)

(20) THARWAN is a strong staying colt who finished second of 17 runners in Cup company in February. Should fare better than on his Taif reappearance and is clearly the horse to beat.

(5) ALMONTASER BILLAH is a seven-race maiden who has been knocking at the door and almost broke through at Taif last month. Should go close.

(8) BATRAN put up solid efforts at Taif this summer without suggesting he is a sure-fire future winner. Not without claims if he handles this track.

(4) ALKHAIR is rated just 37 after four appearances, but three of those runs have come at much higher levels and there is a chance that he is better than what he has shown thus far.

RACE 12 (1,600M)

(2) AURAL is a two-time winner who finished sixth of 14 in a 0-75 handicap last week. Drops in grade and the leading jockey is retained.

(12) EMHAL is an unexposed filly who dug in deep to win a 1,600m Open on her most recent outing in November 2024. Returns from 11 months off but could be well handicapped.

(9) YA'KHAYELHOM ran home nicely for third in a 1,600m conditions race last week and now enters handicap company off an interesting mark.

(16) ROBOT is a lightly raced colt with a lot of early speed. Finished third of nine in a conditions race last week and could play a major role here.

Comments courtesy of Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia