There was a lot of blue around and some nice winners so…starting with the Dubai City of Gold the first two were blue – Global Storm who won nicely and Kemari both up for Godolphin and 3rd place Daramethos 20/1 the odd one in.

Not so much blue in the Burj Nahoor 1600m with the win going to Discovery Island from Raaeb (blue and white) and Royal Mews (sort of blue – Coolmore).

Not a spot of blue in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint with the Boughey-trained Al Dasim running like a short-priced favourite should and winning his 5th in a row with Barzalona on board.  Miqyaab was second. Thunder of Niagara third but the one to focus on is the winner who now heads to the Al Quoz Sprint.

Salute the Solder made it consecutive wins in the Maktoum Challenge R3 with jockey Adrie de Vries and trainer Fawzi Nass both affirming that he's better than ever.  Bendoog hung on bravely for second and the Chilean-bred First Constitution was third.

The Jebel Hatta was another defending champ saluting with Alfareeq let out at 25/1 and inflicting defeat on the blue runners Master of the Seas and Real World.  Hong Kong's Russian Emperor, recent winner in Qatar of the G1 Amir's Sword Trophy, ran a respectable fifth.

His compatriot Senor Toba is staying on in Meydan despite only a fair run in the Dubai City of Gold.  Yes the longer the better which is fine but he seems to lack a finish.