1.15 Dubai Duty Free Handicap 1m 1f

Sujet is an interesting prospect on handicap debut, considering his juvenile form rates higher than his introductory mark of 77 would suggest. He was last seen finishing fifth to the progressive Serious Contender and previously took third behind group performer Shackleton, while his debut fifth was boosted by Goffs Million winner Apples And Bananas and Lingfield Derby Trial victor Puppet Master.

A winter’s break and gelding operation may yield improvement and considering he is entered in the Meld Stakes next month, he is presumably held in some regard by connections.

Shiota is a filly on the up from an in-form stable. The manner in which she finished on her last two starts, both of which she won, suggests that this extra furlong is within her reach. She looks capable of further progression and of maintaining her form with Mississippi River, who won well last time out, having chased home Joe Murphy’s filly in April.

A step up in trip, on good ground, brought an improved effort from Iron Fist last time, when he was headed close home, and this distance might see him gain a deserved first win. He finished three lengths in front of a 92-rated favourite that day and the winner subsequently sold for £160,000.

It’s possible that connections wanted to make use of Keithen Kennedy’s 5lb claim, and not a case of stable jockey Shane Foley preferring Lady In Paris’ chances.

SELECTION: SUJET

Next best: Shiota

1.50 Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap 1m

Last month’s Emerald Mile Handicap provides plenty of course-and-distance pointers. The seemingly well-handicapped British winner Skukuza makes the step up to listed level later on today’s card, while runner-up Serialise makes a quick return from running at Royal Ascot 10 days ago (finished 15th in the Kensington Palace Stakes).

The third horse, Slieve Binnian, has a strong chance today considering his delayed challenge and strong finish. His nearest rival, Coeur d’Or, is expected to go close again, given that he finished fourth after nine months off the track.

Akecheta caught the eye behind them in sixth but the way she finished and a subsequent second over 10 furlongs at Epsom suggests she may find today’s trip too short once again. The same goes for Retracement, who flew home here over 10 furlongs on his first start for Johnny Murtagh last month.

In contrast, the mile may prove too far for the hat-trick chasing Love Billy Boy, based on his pedigree, though the form of his last win has worked out well. Last year’s winner Booyea hasn’t shown the same form since.

SELECTION: SLIEVE BINNIAN

Next best: Coeur d’Or

2.25 Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes (Listed) 6f

My Mate Alfie began an upward curve by winning this last year but has been disappointing this season. Last month’s length-and-half defeat in a Group 2 might read well, but it was a below-par renewal of the Greenlands Stakes, and carrying a 5lb penalty here for a previous Group 3 win won’t help his chances.

Big Gossey was an unlucky third in the Greenlands, having been denied a clear run before flying up the rail to take third. With a better passage, he is expected to finish clearer of the fourth, Vespertilio, who showed some return to form.

Songhai has progressed with each of her four starts this season and was strong at the finish when second in a five-furlong sprint earlier this month, suggesting that today’s extra furlong will suit. Erosandpsyche was two lengths behind her that day, but it came after a year off the track and was an encouraging start on stable debut.

His former stablemate King Cuan was impressive last time out, but faced just two (albeit useful) rivals and must take another step forward today.

SELECTION: BIG GOSSEY

Next best: Songhai

2.55 Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes (Listed) 1m

Last year’s winner Lord Massusus has plenty of ability, winning another listed race in the interim, but is inconsistent and it’s difficult to be ultra-confident in his chances of repeating the feat, despite no obvious negatives.

The five-year-old is joint highest-rated with Currawood; a stakes winner in waiting after two fine placed efforts behind highly-regarded colts, including Irish Derby hopeful Green Impact. Today may be his day, while another step forward is expected from his more lightly-raced Tetrarch Stakes rival Alakazi, for whom the penny only seemed to drop late on.

Connections of last month’s impressive Emerald Mile winner Skukuza bypassed Royal Ascot in favour of finding an ease in the ground. The Bunbury Cup and a German Group 3 were nominated at first, so the fact that he’s coming here instead stands for something.

SELECTION: CURRAWOOD

Next best: Alakazi

3.30 Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap 5f

Greek Flower finished second in last year’s renewal and another two premier handicaps over course and distance last season. Off a similar rating 12 months on, she’s expected to come on from last month’s return and should go close today.

Keke’s form in similar contests, including a course-and-distance win in the Joe McGrath Handicap, also gives him a strong chance. His most recent second to a well-treated rival on the up suggests that he can justify his rating.

Thunderbear, who rounded off last season with two stakes placings, may be able to justify his rating in handicaps, if his seasonal return is anything to go by. After a six-month absence, he finished strongly to take third against Fair Taxes and Little Queenie – the former went up 3lb and is without a 3lb claimer today.

Apache Outlaw was only another half a length behind them, earning him a place on the shortlist

SELECTION: GREEK FLOWER

Next best: Keke

4.50 Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap 1m 4f

Cloud Seeker was narrowly denied in another premier handicap over 10 furlongs on Irish Guineas weekend. The Masar gelding stuck to his task gallantly and will appreciate this greater test of stamina.

Star Harbour was half a length behind him, adding to confidence that he could win this for the second year in a row. Soaring Monarch also showed promise in that race and was doing his best work late on. He’s a previous premier handicap winner over this trip, too.

Ceallach’s fourth on Guineas weekend puts him in the mix, but he is yet to win on the turf, and hasn’t won any race since December 2023. They share form with Lope de Lilas, who looks capable of running well off her mark, despite disappointing under a change of tactics on a trip to France last month.

SELECTION: CLOUD SEEKER

Next best: Soaring Monarch

5.20 GAIN Summer Fillies & Mares Handicap 7f

Gloriously Glam was sold to the Ado McGuinness yard since being beaten a nose over a mile here last time out. She raced keenly in front that day and a return to seven furlongs may help her get her head back in front here.

Indigo Five has gone up significantly in the weights since winning this last year, but she did win off 5lb lower than today’s mark earlier this season.

The admirable six-year-old outran her odds when fourth in a listed contest last time and benefits from Dylan O’Connor’s 7lb claim today.

Bella Isabella earned the same mark for finishing third to more experienced rivals in a Group 3 last month. The well-related three-year-old remains unexposed and looks open to further progression.

Enchanted Garden was somewhat disappointing in a premier handicap on Irish Guineas weekend but the 5lb drop she received puts her in the equation today as she returns to the trip of her two Leopardstown wins.

SELECTION: GLORIOUSLY GLAM

Next best: Indigo Five

5.55 Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Stayers Handicap 2m

Looking down the weights, Common Practice appeals off the back of his third over a mile and six furlongs here. The Grade 3-winning chaser plugged on in the latter stages and should appreciate today’s greater stamina test, aided by first-time blinkers.

After two fruitless attempts over hurdles, Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins’ 330,000gns recruit Too Bossy For Us returns to the flat.

His British form includes a valuable second at Haydock, where East India Dock finished another fourth lengths further back.

While he has yet to prove himself over two miles, his pedigree suggests it shouldn’t be a problem.

Gentleman Joe comes off the back of a winning return to action at Listowel. Today’s task is significantly tougher, but last year’s fifth in the Copper Horse Handicap off a similar mark suggests he’s up to this standard.

First-time cheekpieces yielded a career-best from Jabbar last time out and this return to two miles could help him go one better.

SELECTION: COMMON PRACTICE

Next best: Too Bossy For Us