The Meydan Punt: Nick Driver with his best bets on Thursday

BANKER

Gold Town (4.50 Meydan)

The returning William Buick has a great book of rides, none more so than Gold Town. The selection has taken a big drop in class into handicap company and this should be a straightforward task. He was sent off 13-8 favourite for the UAE Derby when beaten by Mendelssohn and wasn’t disgraced when twelve lengths behind North America in round one of the Al Maktoum Challenge three weeks ago. He hadn’t run since March prior to that and should strip much fitter for this challenge. He has the speed to get out of stall seven and should be winning this if he shows anything like his UAE 2,000 Guineas form.

GOOD THING

Divine Image (3.05 Meydan)

The UAE 1,000 Guineas looks an intriguing puzzle but Divine Image should be good enough to give Godolphin an eleventh win in the race and Charlie Appleby his first. The Scat Daddy filly made a big impression on debut when bolting up by six lengths at Chelmsford and has a reasonable draw in stall seven. Charlie Appleby feels she will improve for the UAE Oaks trip, the mile should suit and I think she’ll be too good with no worries about the dirt on breeding.

EYECATCHER

Switzerland (4.15 Meydan)

The big race on the card is the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint and Switzerland is certainly one to watch. Already a Group 3 winner in the US, he now has the expertise of Ryan Moore, who certainly knows how to ride the dirt track at Meydan. His chance will depend on the break, but the selection has some early speed which should suit the way the track rides and could nab this race from the front.

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, clickhere to find advice on how you can receive help