Friday 13th November 2026
3.45 Bahrain – (Gulf Of Bahrain Cup) (1m 6f)
The first of two bets for me on Friday from Bahrain comes at 3.45, and this is the Gulf Of Bahrain Cup over a mile and six furlongs. The race has attracted a vast number of European contenders, and it’s the French raider, SPACE WALTZ, that I think makes a significant amount of appeal for the Fabre team, who’s the mount of Pierre-Charles Boudot. He’s a progressive three-year-old who won a Group 3 at Chantilly in June, and has since placed in another Group 3 and a Group 2 in his last two starts. He’s also versatile on different ground conditions, and with further improvement very likely, he should be considered a serious player here against quite a few exposed rivals.
Saeed bin Suroor’s Dubai Future would have a chance on the best of his form here under Oisin Murphy; he beat Sweet William in Group 3 company back in May, and was only three-quarters of a length behind Tiffany in a German Group 1 on his penultimate outing. Westridge could also give a good account of himself for the Kublers; he won by three and three-quarters of a length last time out here over twelve furlongs, and could go well at a big price here up in distance.
Selection: Space Waltz – (4/1) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Dubai Future, Westridge
4.35 Bahrain – (Bahrain International Trophy) (G1) (1m 2f)
The big one takes centre stage at 4.35, and current market leader, Wimbledon Hawkeye, will be a warm order at the top of the betting. He’s been a revelation since joining George Scott, winning a Group 2 & 3, as well as placing in two Group 1s. If he continues in the same vein, he’s likely to go very close again here under Christophe Soumillon.
Last year’s winner ROYAL CHAMPION could be the way to go, though, for the team of Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. He followed up his win in this race last year with a four-and-three-quarter-length success in the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup at Riyadh, before another fine effort when fourth in the QEII Cup behind Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin. He’ll likely be primed for a repeat bit in this race, and another bold showing could well be on the cards.
Zaydann was only half of a length behind Wimbledon Hawkeye last time out in the Group 2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp in October. He’s won five of his nine starts for top French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, and he could still have further improvement to come.
Selection: Royal Champion – (4/1) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Wimbledon Hawkeye, Zaydann
