Smart Mhalhal can finish on top of the lot

RACE 1 (1,200m)

(1) AIJTILAD placed behind the smart Taqaarir on her first two starts before scoring with ease over 1,600m at Taif in September. Never involved here in October and now drops in class and trip.

(7) A’ASHAT is an unraced Frozen Power filly out of a UK-bred mare. Interesting debutante for leading connections.

(8) ASEEL ALMOGHTARAH was weakened tamely after making most of the early running over this course and distance earlier in November. Not without place claims but needs to improve to win.

(2) ASFARAT WA ANWARAT stayed on powerfully to win a weak course-and-distance maiden on Nov 8. This requires more.

RACE 2 (1,200m)

(9) SAWAAS looks like the horse to beat, based on two placed efforts here at the start of 2025. Should improve from his comeback run in October.

(6) KHATWAH FOHAYD ran with some promise when fifth of 19 over 1,400m on Nov 7. Place claims with minor improvement.

(12) ALJAFLA’A finished third of 18 on debut over the course and distance in March 2024, but has not shown that level of form in six subsequent outings.

(16) TEE AN TEE was thoroughly exposed and vulnerable to an improver, but cannot be discounted if she returns in her best form.

RACE 3 (1,400m)

(7) BLNSYH is a top-rated performer on official figures and has to be shortlisted. She finished seventh of 19 over the course and distance last time.

(9) E’AETEMAADIYAH was second of 18 over the course and distance in March and would have strong claims on that evidence. She can run well again.

(15) MANSORAH BALLAH is an inconsistent filly who has twice run well enough to feature in a race of this nature. Cannot be discounted for leading connections.

(19) THAHEENAH has shaped with promise in two sprints so far this season. Could easily run a place with further improvement over this trip.

RACE 4 (1,400m, Best Bet)

(12) HAKIMAH was a runner-up on four consecutive starts and surely deserves to break through. This is the perfect opportunity to do it.

(2) EVERYBREATHYOUTAKE is a US import who won cosily over 1,600m here on Nov 13. Dropping down in distance should not be a negative provided she fires again.

(4) LILLY’S BET has just one win from 18 outings, but she ran a nice second to Everybreathyoutake over 1,600m here on Nov 13.

(13) HAL LAH is a speedy filly who is not without a chance in a race of this nature. Jockey bookings suggest she is the second string for her connections.

RACE 5 (1,400m)

(3) ALHALIM endured a wide trip when fifth of 19 on debut here in December. Returns from 11 month-layoff but has the required talent.

(12) QARAH is a well-bred colt who deserves to get off the mark. His recent starts have come over much longer trips, though, so this distance is an issue.

(2) ALAMEED is an unraced Omaha Beach colt out of a US-bred mare who won once from three outings. Cost $110,000 and now makes his debut.

(20) THOUGHTS’N PRAYERS has been steadily progressive and could throw down a challenge if she builds on her fifth-placed finish here in October.

RACE 6 (1,400m)

(16) ROKAMYAH finished second behind a talented rival over 1,200m in early November. Deserves another chance and should be suited by this trip.

(13) ORKEED is an unraced Commissioner filly out of a US-bred mare. Dangerous from a good draw with a smart apprentice on board.

(8) MAYINAH is an unraced Palace filly out of an unraced local-bred mare. Debuts for leading connections but has drawn gate 20.

(5) HUDA ALENAYA lost her action when last of 10 on debut over 1,400m in October. Interesting contender, given her precocious pedigree.

RACE 7 (1,800m)

(2) MHALHAL is a classy colt who is due for another victory after several placed efforts in better races, including his third in the Taif Cup (1,600m) two starts ago and second in the Taif Derby Open (1,600m) three starts ago. Step-up in trip not a problem. Clearly the horse to beat.

(3) TCHAIKOVSKY is a speedy front runner with unproven stamina over this distance. Should set the pace for a while before being overhauled.

(5) ALLAH YAHFAZIK is an impressive debut winner over 1,600m here in March 2024. Has not been seen since and could be anything.

(7) WEBINAR ran well in a handful of starts in the UAE before joining these connections. Not without a chance.

RACE 8 (1,800m)

(4) ALMONTASER BILLAH is winless from eight starts, but very capable and should be tough to beat in this field on his second try at the trip.

(11) MEDAAR is a strong stayer who finished third of 19 over 2,000m when last seen in March. Fitness is a concern on his comeback bid but he has to be feared.

(10) MAHBOOK faded badly in the home straight after making most of the early running over 1,600m in October. Likely to play a role if he gets to the front early again.

(8) DOUBLE HOPE showed drastic improvement when fourth of 17 here on Nov 6. Relished the extra stamina test that day and not without place claims.

RACE 9 (1,600m)

(1) LAHA ALHAYBAH found plenty for pressure when she made a winning debut over the course and distance on Nov 7. Leading player on that form.

(2) NOMAS FOOZ failed to beat a rival when last of 18 on debut at Taif, but improved a great deal when stepped up to 1,800m here last time.

(14) TAZDAHIR is a formsetter based on her third-placed finish in a 1,400m Taif Cup trial. Unproven over this trip but has the required talent to win if she stays.

(5) BINT RAJEEDAH was twice placed over sprinting distances. Perhaps he did not stay when fourth over trip and track last time.

RACE 10 (1,600m)

(4) AQEED ALENAYA was the runner-up to the 103-rated Lilaelem in a conditions race over course and distance on his penultimate start. Major player on that effort.

(2) ALBRONZE was well beaten in two tries over longer trips. Worth a second look, as he cuts back in distance for leading connections.

(1) AJMAL TAHEYAH is a deep closer who finished well to grab third in a course-and-distance maiden on Oct 30. Place candidate on that form.

(12) QASAM ALLAH finished well to take second of 19 in a 1,400m maiden here on Nov 7. Not without a chance.

RACE 11 (1,600m)

(2) FAWAZ EALIAT NAJID made drastic improvement this season and should not be overlooked after a solid third of eight over this course and distance in October.

(9) RAJI AL KHALEDIAH finished second of 13 on debut over 1,400m here earlier in November. Could play a major role if he stays this longer trip.

(7) NASHIMI KR is an unraced Nashmi Al Khalediah colt out of an unraced dam. Connections can look forward to his run first-up.

(4) M N SAREM has yet to win in six starts and does not appear likely to stay this far. However, he is top-rated on official figures and cannot be discounted.

RACE 12 (1,600m)

(8) SHMOKH SHAR has not won in 19 attempts but boasts a consistent profile and is guaranteed to stay. One more chance.

(9) SWAR ALAMAL finished fourth of nine behind Budor Alshabibiah over 1,400m last time. Might be helped by a stiffer stamina test.

(7) SHAIKHAT AL ALTAA finished third of nine, one place behind Budor Alshabibiah, over 1,400m on her debut here on Nov 6. Could reverse that form if she strips fitter for this assignment.

(1) BUDOR ALSHABIBIAH has yet to win in seven attempts and may have been flattered by the proximity to a higher-rated winner last time. Uncertain to stay.

Comments courtesy of Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia