Meydan horse racing tips: Opera Ballo set for Jebel Hatta glory on Friday, January 23

After tipping a 33/1 each-way selection last week, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh is back for more.

Meydan duly offers up a bumper meeting on Friday, headed by the Jebel Hatta, and our pundit hopes to scale another mountain peak.

Kieran McHugh’s racing tips

If you happened to have read last week’s column, then you will have hopefully taken note of The Caltonian, who won at the hefty odds of 33/1.

For once, I had heeded my own advice and took him each-way, so with those winnings I treated myself with an excursion to Dubai.

Fine, maybe not to the country, but I was able to purchase a smidgen of Dubai chocolate from Harrods before I promptly realised I am far too northern to be in such a place.

My learned colleague, Mr Mexico, caused a stir last week when he confessed he has no sauce on his bacon sandwiches.

Friday, January 23 is ‘National Pie Day’, which makes me wonder whether he has sauce with his pies?

Anyway, for those interested, I am a cheese and onion pie type of guy.

(All times below are in GMT.)

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14:05 (Meydan) – Firebreak Stakes (Group 3)

Commissioner King is the likely winner given his form behind the smart Imperial Emperor.

Fort Payne could be a nice alternative. He is a serial winner on the All-Weather and won off a fast pace last year, over course and distance.

Suggested bets: COMMISSIONER KING (WIN), FORT PAYNE (E/W)

14:40 (Meydan) – Al Fahidi Fort (Group 2)

Mysterious Night holds claims but he needs to overcome Marbaan, who is drawn in the car park.

A chance could be taken on the former Lockinge winner Audience, who could have gone better on his debut for David O’Meara. A visor could help him settle.

Suggested bet: AUDIENCE (WIN)

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15:15 (Meydan) – Al Shindagha Sprint (Group 3)

Dark Saffron has been too disappointing lately to side with and despite El Nasseeb looking to be on the rise, Drew’s Gold was eye-catching on his return.

He won his reappearance by nearly seven lengths and if he puts in another performance like that, he is a danger to the favourite.

Suggested bet: DREW’S GOLD (WIN)

15:50 (Meydan) – Blue Point Sprint (Group 2)

West Acre runs his best races over course and distance, breaking the track record in this race last year. If he can shoulder the increased weight, he has a good chance of going back-to-back in a competitive race.

Ponntos is a grand horse and despite a below-par performance over five furlongs in December, it could be worth sticking with him. He was second to West Acre last year and is better off at the weights this time. Rule him out at your peril.

Suggested bets: WEST ACRE (WIN), PONNTOS (E/W)

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16:25 (Meydan) – Al Maktoum Challenge (Group 1)

Walk Of Stars went from gate-to-wire in this last year and possibly needed the run when beaten last time by Heart Of Honor. He is better off at the weights and should reverse the form.

Maybe my heart rules my head here. Kabirkhan won this in 2024 but has not really kicked on. Personally, I think his antics at the gate have not helped him as he needs to be up with the pace. He wears blinkers for the first time, which could help, and I would not desert him just yet.

Suggested bets: WALK OF STARS (WIN), KABIRKHAN (E/W)

17:00 (Meydan) – Jebel Hatta (Group 1)

I shall keep this fairly straightforward: There is not much you can really say about this race other than it would be a major shock if Opera Ballo failed to win.

Suggested bet: OPERA BALLO (WIN)

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17:35 (Meydan) – UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3)

This looks to be a shoot-out between Six Speed and Devon Island, which I think will go to the latter. Godolphin’s charge has looked smart in both of his starts in Meydan and there could be more to come from him.

Awesome Fleet has done well to finish in the frame on both of his starts, coming from miles back on both occasions. If he is on terms come the business end of the race, he will finish strongly.

Suggested bets: DEVON ISLAND (WIN), AWESOME FLEET (E/W)

18:10 (Meydan) – Al Khail Trophy (Group 3)

Although it would be amusing to see Meydaan win at Meydan again, my vote goes to West Wind Blows, a personal favourite.

He ran well at Kempton off a two-year break, then followed up by winning at Deauville. He has the form and should have no qualms with the distance either.

Suggested bet: WEST WIND BLOWS (WIN)

As ever, best of betting luck to you all.

(Selections are correct at time of publishing. Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from race and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)

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