R1 Likely to go to a debutant imo. MDK's Ektifaa with Marcus up is an obvious contender but the price is short and with the 1 box, I'll pass. The Spies booking of Fortune for Princess Violet was noted but, he has just one win in 14 rides for the stable and they don't have the best of draws. Tarry and Khumalo are going well so Kahula is worth a look but I have a very marginal and tentative preference for Cyber Magic, the breeding suggests to me she could be competitive and with Peter/B Lerena in good form, I'll chance her e/w.
R2 Lines through Roman Evening and Rivarine have the other runners with experience something to find with Janoobi. Well related, Marcus up and a decent looking draw so must have sound claims, very short though. Fortune rides LG's Magic Maker and the breeding suggests he could have some ability. My e/w and exacta shout.
R3 Fairly open looking contest and it wouldn't take one of the Azzie debutants to be a superstar to take the spoils , Bateleur Again probably my preference of them. That said, I'm hoping Gusheshes is fit and ready to go. Decent debut before the break and a good draw here against what look like fairly moderate opponents. JPvD has a good record, certainly in terms of places, for the stable and is my e/w shout.
R4 This looks a pretty poor contest. I can find no compelling arguments for anything so would rather go the idiot route. I'll chance an e/w on Royal Honour in the hope he can recapture the form of his run to Enbharr. Will also have R1 on Bank Manager and 50c on Uposeupay.
R5 Flag Of France may have met with a few problems in running lto. He is potentially much better drawn here than African Ruler and with the inform appie taking 4kgs off I think he might turn the tables. The Hangman is my roughie, has a fairly good record over sprints and at the course. Never discount Cohiba but in a field of this size he will need plenty of luck in running if not getting an unusually perfect start.
R6 Plenty to like about Extreme Dubai again but I'll side with Imperial Gold here. Drops in class, MR has dropped markedly in pretty quick time, excuses lto and a much improved effort in penultimate with blinkers. My outsider is Anyday Anytime, poor lto but that was from an unfavourable draw and worth a small e/w on his run 3 back, though still looks well held by ED on lines through Cannes.
R7 Tiger's Touch is another who seems to tick many of the right boxes for me today - form, draw, trainer/jock - and I won't oppose. Trip To India might be the danger and Lady Al probably won't be too far away again.
R8 High Game got my nod in the end with Bah and Heywot maybe going closest but won't take much improvement from quite a few to get their head infront here. Of the higher priced ones, Rockandrolling was not far away lto returning from 23 weeks off and is potentially much better drawn today, worth a small e/w for me. Tiger's Legacy could also feature on 3rd run after a rest but has the 3 box to overcome.
R9 Aldiara another who seems to have strong claims and again I won't oppose. If one was to surprise then it might come in the shape of Riverine Forest whose return run lto was decent and she should enjoy the extra 200 from a high draw today. River Empress and Banking April would form a quartet if I were to do one.
Particularly if Suleman is right about the alumites, and I think at least one of the two he mentioned has been supported in a poor looking contest, Tarry might have another good day.
