TimeformBlog

Mike de Kock had been enduring a solid rather than spectacular Carnival until last week, but four winners are a sign that his string have really hit their stride now and Stephen Molyneux expects another couple to do the business for the South African on Thursday...

Atlantic Sport can kick things off in the 14:25 after a highly encouraging start for the yard over trips that don't appear to suit. He always left the impression he was a 7f specialist when in the care of Mick Channon back in 2008/9, both his wins coming over that trip in a minor event at Newbury and listed contest at Sandown. He was then transferred to Peter Schiergen in Germany for his 5-y-o campaign but things didn't really pan out and he subsequently moved to Mike de Kock who has very quickly got him back to his best. Atlantic Sport wasn't disgraced over 6f behind Our Giant on his reappearance, and then he travelled really strongly behind City Style over 1m next time, getting to the front briefly before those exertions told. There should be plenty of pace on here with Evens And Odds and Lipocco amongst others in the line-up, and this looks the perfect opportunity for Atlantic Sport to get back to winning ways.

Hopefully, Mike de Kock won't have to wait too much longer for his next winner with Golden Sword lining up in the 15:40. He is another horse to have recently joined the stable, or in his case, rejoined having had three starts for them early in 2010. He went off the boil subsequently for Jane Chapple-Hyam but he showed that all his old spark remains with a fine second behind City Style on his reappearance over a trip that is arguably short of best. Having said that he did travel with real purpose under a ride that, well let's just say it wasn't Christophe Soumillion's finest hour. Golden Sword was really powering home at the finish and, although it will be pushing it to suggest he retains the sort of ability that saw him finish second in an Irish Derby, he won't need to return to his best off a mark 105 against some thoroughly exposed sorts.

The final selection in the 18:15 is speculative to say the least, as it is more of a hunch that Mac Love is returning to his best rather than any hard evidence on the track. A smart performer in his day, Mac Love's 2010 campaign was a complete write off, and it looked nothing different with a lacklustre return at Meydan. The tapeta surface could have been a reasonable excuse for that flop and he shaped with much more promise despite finishing only sixth behind Derbaas back on turf next time. He travelled with purpose held up yet got no run at a critical time, and to my eye he was coming with a similar run to Here To Win who ended up finishing second. The form has been let down to a degree since and this looks a better race with Irish Flame and Kinsfort in there, both of whom could simply outclass this lot (several racing from miles out of the weights), but Mac Love should be given an each-way chance if going off a double-figure price.

Recommendations:
Back Atlantic Sport to win 14:25 Meydan
Back Golden Sword to win 15:40 Meydan
Back Mac Love win and place 18:15 Meydan

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