--- title: "Feb 22 Saudi Arabia form analysis" url: "/sports/feb-22-saudi-arabia-form-analysis" published: "2025-02-20T13:05:07.000Z" updated: "2025-02-20T13:06:14.000Z" section: "Sports" tags: ["HORSE RACING"] --- # Feb 22 Saudi Arabia form analysis *Go Forever Young in Saudi Cup* Race 1 (1,800m) Handicap Race 1 (1,800m) Handicap 4 Yemken Three-time Cup winner this season who powered clear under the day’s rider to win a 2,400m Cup race in December. Dangerous if on the premises turning in as he has stamina to burn. 8 Taj Alaelya’a Consistent and forward-going type who finished a good second in this race last year off 1lb higher. Rounding into form this season and plundered a Group 3 over 2,000m here in December. Wide draw is an issue. 5 Almobeer Strong stayer who plugged on at the one speed to finish third in this contest last year. Down 4lb in the weights since then but looked some way off his best when seventh in the local Saudi Cup qualifier last month. 11 Alwaheef Sixth in this contest 12 months ago off a 3lb lower mark. Only seen twice this season, both in sprints last month, and now returns to his favoured distance with a leading rider aboard. Race 2 (2,000m) Group 1 Obaiyah Race 2 (2,000m) Group 1 Obaiyah 8 Tilal AI Khalediah Extremely prolific with 14 victories from 16 starts. Won this race two years ago before taking the Al Mneefah on turf at this meeting last season. Unbeaten in four starts this term and undoubtedly the horse to beat. 3 Barakka Runner-up in the last two editions of the Dubai Kahayla Classic, but has to improve to beat Tilal Al Khalediah on that evidence. Warmed up for this with a fine third-placed finish at Meydan and now makes his local debut. 12 Nirehazz Well beaten by Lacy Des Vialettes in the King Faisal Cup at Taif in September, but has improved beyond belief since. Showed a taking turn of foot to win the qualifier over course and distance here last month and should not be ignored. 10 Vizhir Unexposed and classy performer who ran second in this race last year. Has not been at his best this campaign but now freshened up and returns to favourite distance. Keep safe. Race 3 (1,600m) Group 1 Saudi Derby Race 3 (1,600m) Group 1 Saudi Derby 6 Golden Vekoma Promising performer who plundered the UAE 2,000 Guineas and its trial in January. Strong stayer at this distance and should have no issues with this track. Big player if he is able to sit prominently from a good draw. 11 Myriad Love Unbeaten filly who beat Happy Man in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun last month. Likely to adopt a prominent position, but her stamina looks to run out at the end over this trip. 7 Mhalhal Three-time course and distance winner who came unstuck when fifth in the Saudi 2,000 Guineas. Back to winning ways last time and is still improving. 4 Cyclone State Speedy colt who has made every yard of the running on his last three starts at Aqueduct over this trip. Will adopt the same tactics to hold off these classy rivals in the closing stages. Race 4 (1,200m) Group 2 Dirt Sprint Race 4 (1,200m) Group 2 Dirt Sprint 10 Straight No Chaser Speedy US sprinter who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November. Worked well at Santa Anita before arrival. Has tactical pace to go forward. 11 Gabby’s Sister Improving filly who has come from off the pace to win her last three appearances in Japan. Proved her class in Group 3 company in December and now steps up again. 8 Remake Scooted clear to win this race last year. Returned from a six-month break to win at Seoul in September and had a similar break since. Likes this track. 2 Chikappa Four-time winner over this distance and has caught the eye on his last two outings when he closed from off the pace. Needs to improve to beat the best here but holds place claims. Race 5 (2,100m, turf) Handicap Race 5 (2,100m, turf) Handicap 3 Aafoor Plundered a 0-95 handicap at Al Uqda in November. Fourth in the Qatar Derby on his penultimate start before winning an Open last time. Strong stayer who should not be overlooked against his elders. 5 My Frankel Third in this event in 2022 off a mark of 100 and runner-up last season off 107. 2lb lower this time around but he has to bounce back after a disappointing run in Listed company in December. 11 Cracksking Progressive handicapper on turf and synthetics in the UK prior to sale to Bahrain. Won at the second attempt and could be well handicapped. 1 Bolthole Beat just one horse home in the Neom Turf Cup over course and distance on this card last year. Won three of his six next outings and loves this trip, but needs to prove that he can perform at this venue. Race 6 (2,100m) Group 2 Neom Turf Cup Race 6 (2,100m) Group 2 Neom Turf Cup 6 Shin Emperor Placed in the Japan Cup, Japanese Derby and Satsuki Sho in his homeland. Also took third in the Irish Champion Stakes last year. Returns after a three-month break as the horse to beat. 8 Spirit Dancer Overcame a wide trip to surge through late to win this race 12 months ago. Relished the return back to the Middle East in November when he landed his second Bahrain International handicap. Do not discount despite recent Hong Kong sorrow. 1 Al Riffa Classy conveyance who recorded a first Group 1 victory in Germany last season. Down the field in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when last seen in October and freshened up for an international campaign. 3 Calif Perennial slow starter who defied huge odds to finish third in this race last year behind Spirit Dancer. Won his first Group 1 in Germany subsequently and now returns to the Middle East after finishing sixth in the Hong Kong Cup. Race 7 (1,351m) Group 2 Turf Sprint Race 7 (1,351m) Group 2 Turf Sprint 12 Ascoli Piceno Unbeaten during her juvenile season and won at the top level. Twice placed in Group 1s in Japan last season and is the classiest runner in the field, but has something to prove after disappointing in Australia in November. 10 Win Marvel Four Group wins stand out on his CV and he generally finishes his races off powerfully. Competitive in big-field events in Japan before the turn of the year and has strong claims in this field if negotiating the draw. 1 Annaf Explosive sprinter who won this race 12 months ago when given a brilliant ride. Connections opted for an identical preparation and he cannot be overlooked. Saving ground will be key for this deep-closing type. 8 Task Force Dual sprint winner as a juvenile who was pitched in at the deep end over a mile last season. Starts out for new connections here and could be dangerous if he is within range. Race 8 (3,000m) Group 2 Red Sea Turf Race 8 (3,000m) Group 2 Red Sea Turf 1 Al Nayyir Endured a wide trip when fourth in this race 12 months ago. Improved since then with runner-up efforts in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan and Lonsdale Cup at York. Dangerous off topweight. 8 Trafalgar Square Runner-up to Illinois in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay when last seen in October. Debuts for a new trainer over a longer trip. Interesting. 3 Continuous 2023 St Leger winner who was below his best when last seen in the Hong Kong Vase in December. Continues his globetrotting adventures here and will go close if he performs to his best. 5 Byzantine Dream Won his first two starts in Japan but has not added to those wins since. Hit the line well when fifth in the Group 1 Kikkuka Sho over this trip in October. Race 9 (1,800m) Group 1 Saudi Cup Race 9 (1,800m) Group 1 Saudi Cup 5 Forever Young Extremely talented Japanese colt who won the Saudi Derby with a late surge on this card last year. Was then placed in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic and comes here after securing his first Group 1 win. 8 Rattle N Roll Strong-staying dirt specialist with 10 wins to his name. Proved that he handles this course and distance with an emphatic win in the Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques. Bears watching. 7 Ramjet Won the 2024 Tokyo Derby and is still progressing. Finished behind Forever Young in the Dirt Classic and Tokyo Daishoten and may trail that rival home again, but holds place claims. 10 Ushba Tesoro Veteran performer who finished second in this race 12 months ago behind Senor Buscador. Lacks early gears but will close strongly. Below his best behind Forever Young last time. JOCKEY CLUB OF SAUDI ARABIA