Trip is up Aela Mahlek’s alley

RACE 1 (1,200m)

(1) KARIMI is a dual course-and-distance winner who was highly tried at Taif this summer. Drops down in grade for this assignment and the leading rider is unbeaten (1/1) when on board.

(6) MAKTHORH is a two-time course-and-distance scorer who ran three nice races at Taif this summer. Not without a chance now back at Riyadh.

(7) MITOLEYA is a classy type with a lofty official rating in the context of this affair. She seems to be rounding back into form on the evidence on her fourth-placed finish here last week.

(4) ALBAAZ ALASH HAB is a course winner (1,400m) who has been knocking at the door recently with two runner-up efforts. Place contender.

RACE 2 (1,200m)

(13) ALSSAHALAH was a runner-up behind talented types on her first two outings before shaping well in the Taif Cup. Fourth of 17 over course and distance earlier this month and is the horse to beat.

(16) MUSTABRIQAH is an unraced Palace filly out of a local-bred mare who won four times from six starts. Precocious pedigree.

(7) MAKEETH is an unraced Mucho Gusto colt out of a UK-trained mare. Will need more distance in time but cannot be totally written off for leading connections.

(15) MOTAFA’ELAH has clear place claims on her runner-up finish at Taif in September and it might be worth forgiving her last two efforts in higher grades.

RACE 3 (1,400m)

(9) JASOUR made a promising debut display when second of 15 over 1,600m in October. Major claims granted minor improvement.

(1) ASHWAS won a 1,400m Taif conditions race impressively in September and was not disgraced when stepped up to Open company in October. Definite contender.

(11) TAFARED made steady improvement for each outing to date and showed good tenacity to fend off rivals over 1,600m last time. Contender.

(2) FAROUGH weakened tamely to finish fourth of eight on local debut over this course and distance in October. Has lots of natural speed but stamina is an issue.

RACE 4 (1,400m)

(15) BINT WAJHAH is an unexposed filly with one win from five starts. Finding form and now returns to his favoured distance.

(1) ANA MONEFAH ended last season with back-to-back victories here over 1,600m and 1,400m. Could be well ahead of her mark but you have to take fitness on trust after an eight-month break.

(5) AYAT ALMUHAMADIA was just 12th of 20 behind Seif Alhijaz over course and distance here two weeks ago. Starting to become expensive to follow but surely well handicapped.

(4) SEIF ALFALAH ended a three-year spell without a victory when beating 19 rivals over course and distance in October. Up in grade off a 7lb higher mark.

RACE 5 (1,800m)

(1) ALAEWAAGEE is a strong stayer who won a 1,600m 0-70 handicap on his penultimate outing. Second in this grade over 2,400m last time and has clear claims now dropped in trip.

(12) SHIBL OMAR has just one win from 17 but is extremely consistent over this trip and deserves maximum respect off a good mark.

(3) THALEEK won a Cup race in January in a clear career-best performance. Largely competed at Open level since and this is a drop in grade.

(6) ESHTAHER has been placed in much stronger races than this in the past but a long spell in the doldrums has led to a falling mark. Interesting.

RACE 6 (1,800m)

(5) ERSHAN is ready to add a second career success after a string of solid placed efforts. This trip could be ideal.

(8) MAYSOUR AL KHALEDIAH is top-rated in this field by a considerable margin, but he has not managed to replicate his excellent Taif form at this venue thus far.

(4) DHAYF HEISI is unbeaten after a debut victory over 1,400m in March 2024. Not seen since and remains a completely unknown quantity.

(10) RAAD AL SENGAR is a quirky performer who likes to chase rather than pass rivals. Regularly placed but rarely wins.

RACE 7 (1,600m)

(6) ASIN plugged on for fourth of 18 over 1,400m on debut at Taif in September. Not without claims granted some improvement.

(1) ALDARMEI finished fifth of 18 over 1,200m here in October. Showed good early speed and weakened late. Now steps up in trip.

(18) ALBARNEI is a one-paced filly who is versatile regarding trip. Sets the form standard but is vulnerable to a likely improver.

(10) GHOLAM seemed to relish the drop to 1,200m when third of 18 in Riyadh earlier in November. Going back up in trip seems questionable.

RACE 8 (1,600m, Best Bet)

(1) AELA MAHLEK was runner-up in the Group 1 King Abdullah Cup in January over this course and distance. Solid efforts so far this season and looks the horse to beat.

(11) AAJBAK got very tired over 2,000m on his most recent start. Possesses talent and may be better suited by this trip.

(9) SSAHAFI was an Open race winner over 1,400m here last season before being pitched into Group 1 company. Disappointing at Taif this summer but capable of much better.

(16) NASSARHA ALLAH is a well connected filly who has not matched last season’s exploits this term. Might be ready to up her game.

RACE 9 (1,600m)

(8) GHAZAL AL KHAIR was third of 12 in Listed company here last week. The horse to beat on that evidence but returns after just six days off.

(12) OWN has only three wins from 30 outings but has chased home some classy types in better races than this in the past.

(10) ISTEGLAL scored three wins from five career starts and is open to significant improvement. Won over this course and distance last week.

(15) SALOUM AL KHALEDIAH has not won since January 2023 but possesses the talent to figure in the finish for leading connections.

RACE 10 (2,000m)

(16) TAHZEEM is looking for his sixth victory in a row after impressive displays over trips ranging from 1,800m to 2,400m. Should be tough to beat.

(11) LELAH DOROH has nine wins from 23 outings and finished fifth in this race 12 months ago. Recent Taif exploits suggest he is firing on all cylinders.

(8) IBN TOULON is a strong traveller with an appealing profile. Ran well in two Taif Cup races this summer and has been kept off the track for this assignment.

(18) YEMKEN is a strong stayer entering this race on the back of an impressive 2,400m strike here three weeks ago. Leading player.

RACE 11 (2,400m)

(1) SALAM AL AEZ is yet to win from 13 attempts but has been placed at Open level on numerous occasions and is proven over this trip. Top-weight and looks tough to beat.

(4) TORQISH was strong at the finish when losing his maiden tag over 2,000m here in October. Not without a chance now that he enters handicap company.

(8) SABEEL ALKHEIR was twice placed in lower-grade contests over this distance. Place contender once again on that evidence despite the class rise.

(3) RO’YA ALKAREEM plundered a 0-65 handicap over this course and distance when last seen in March. Now returns from eight months off.

RACE 12 (2,400m)

(3) CAUSEWAY is a strong-staying US import with winning course-and-distance form from October. Boasts significant claims if he returns in the same form.

(6) MOORE’S LAW is a dual winner in the US for Chad Brown and seems to be taking some time to acclimatise. Fifth behind Causeway here in October.

(4) LOUGANINI is a nine-time winner whose most recent start was a winning one over this course and distance 12 months ago. Fitness is a worry.

(8) TABARETTA is a Former Godolphin inmate who is unproven over this trip but is bang in form and boasts a consistent profile.

Comments courtesy of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia