Meydan: Naval Power out to relaunch Guineas ambitions for Charlie Appleby

Naval Power bids to rekindle his Classic ambitions at Meydan on Friday in the Listed Jumeriah Classic (5.30), one of three black-type races on the card.

William Buick’s mount was as short as 8-1 for this year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas before losing his unbeaten record in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October and is now available at 40-1 in some places for the Classic.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Naval Power had mopped up two Listed races in a four-race unbeaten spree before beating only one home behind Chaldean on the Rowley Mile but may have had excuses that day.

Appleby, who also fields Highbank (Richard Mullen) and One Nation (Mickael Barzalona) in the 1m1f contest, said: "Naval Power showed a progressive profile as a two-year-old before disappointing in the Dewhurst Stakes, when he produced an unsatisfactory scope afterwards. I've been pleased with his preparation but there will be improvement to come for the run. We're looking at potentially giving him the one start in Dubai before looking at some of the Classic trials in Britain." 

Highbank finished third in a trial for this race at Meydan three weeks ago and Appleby added: "We were very pleased with Highbank’s run in the trial, when he settled well and did everything the right way round. He's come on for that run and we're hoping he can progress into a Jumeirah Derby contender.

"One Nation showed solid form as a juvenile and has done well from two to three. He has a bit to find with a couple of his rivals on ratings but his preparation has gone well and he won’t look out of place in the field."

The Appleby/ Buick combination also have a good chance of landing the other Listed contest on the card, the Dubai Sprint (2.35), in which Man Of Promise is chasing a third straight win.

Man Of Promise: leading contender for the Dubai SprintCredit: Edward Whitaker

Runner-up behind stable companion Lazuli on his return three weeks ago, this extra furlong will be more to his liking and he has a high draw, normally favoured on the straight sprint track.

Appleby said: "Man Of Promise has definitely improved having had that run and is well drawn in 14. Returning to this trip will play to his strengths and I feel he's the one they all have to beat.”

Appleby’s Godolphin counterpart Saeed bin Suroor fields the most fancied of the three runners in the blue colours in the Jumeirah Fillies Classic (3.45) in the shape of Mawj.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel won the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket last July.

Saeed bin Suroor said: "Mawj won a Group 2 last season and ran a good race in the Cheveley Park Stakes on her latest start. She's been out in Dubai since November and has been working nicely. This will be her first appearance over seven furlongs and she is coming up against some nice fillies, but everything has gone well with her so far."

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content