The Punt Daily: Tom Collins with three to follow on Saturday

BANKER

Vazirabad(1.50 Meydan)

Alain De Royer-Dupre's six-year-old has won the Dubai Gold Cup for the last two years and looks primed to complete a hat-trick on the back of a decent reappearance when finishing runner-up. He travelled like the best horse in that contest but found the lack of a recent run against him as the reopposing Rare Rhythm swooped down the outside. The fact he lost isn't a worry – he also finished second to a Godolphin-owned runner in that contest last year before winning this contest.

EYECATCHER

Ayutthaya(3.00 Musselburgh)

Kevin Ryan's colt ran into the useful Lisheen Castle on debut, when well backed, before travelling like a good horse only to be denied by subsequent Group 3 Sommerville Stakes winner Elarqam at York on his second start. Unsurprisingly he made amends in an easier contest when last seen and a handicap mark of 86 could prove lenient. He's proven in the conditions and should relish the step up to a mile.

IRISH ANGLE

Shapes (3.55 Cork)

This looks a match race between Shapes and Shareva and my preference goes to the former, who can score at the third time of asking for trainer Ger Lyons. She ran into Alpha Centauri and Actress on both her debut and second start (which came in Listed company) last season and she ran creditably on both occasions to finish third. The pair that beat her are now rated 109 and 106 respectively, which leaves her with a rough mark of about 100 – easily good enough to win this race.

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