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

BANKER

Fire Away (5:25 Meydan)

Mike De Kock caused an upset in the lucky last with Baroot last week, but I don’t think it will be much of a surprise if Fire Away wins the Azizi Mina. The son of War Front was a smart operator in the US with a Grade 2 dirt victory and a Grade 3 turf placing to his name, finishing third in the latter to 2017 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner World Approval which makes his mark of 105 look lenient. He does his best work late and expect to see him flashing home at the death. Connections should have plenty of fun with him at Meydan before he goes back to stud in South Africa.

EYECATCHER

Ispolini (3:05 Meydan)

Ispolini can make up for a solid second two weeks ago by taking the Azizi Riviera Handicap. He got slightly caught for pace in his last outing which turned into a sprint following a slow crawl early doors and the step up in trip should help him here. He is still very much unexposed and wasn’t penalised in the handicap for finishing second last time out, which should stand him in good stead over the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Red Galileo and the rest of the field.

DARK HORSE

Asoof (4:15 Meydan)

Godolphin will be looking to continue their dominance in the Group 2 Cape Verdi after winning the last three renewals and I think Asoof could cause an upset here. Furia Cruzada and Poetic Charm may be the highest rated horses in the race but Asoof could be every bit as good. She started off modestly before picking up some handicap victories and has plenty of scope to improve as a four-year-old. With Christophe Soumillon booked to ride and Saeed Bin Suroor putting her up as a horse to follow, I’m excited to see her pitched in at the deep end and I feel she could be up to the task.

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