0.75pt each-way Balios @8/1, 14:20 Meydan

Cheltenham Festival is very much front of mind this time of year, though there’s plenty of top-class flat racing occurring in Meydan too, as the Carnival builds up to World Cup night later this month.

The prize money on offer in Dubai dwarfs that of Cheltenham, and that’s why plenty of British raiders have made their way across.

King George winner Postponed is one, making his first start since switching yards to Roger Varian in this 12-furlong Group Two.

He arrives after two wins on soft ground and you don’t often find those conditions in a desert, so – despite his jockey insisting otherwise – the quicker conditions in this continent might not see him at his best.

The King George form hasn’t worked out either, and he also has to defy a 174-day absence against some race-fit opposition.

As does the another British raider BALIOS, who might fare better if re-discovering the form of his Group Two win at Royal Ascot on good-to-firm ground.

The in-form Haafaguinea is likely to set a strong pace from stall one, which – as it did last time out for the classy Tryster in the race below – could set things up for a hold-up horse to pick up the pieces.

Balios is exactly that and this is his best trip, so with a handy weight allowance and his lightly-raced profile offering scope for improvement, he looks a good each-way bet at 8/1.

0.75pt each-way Balios @8/1, 14:20 Meydan

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