TimeformBlog

Godolphin have made a habit of purchasing high-end handicappers with the newly-named Dubai World Cup Carnival in mind, and one of their batch of recruits, Start Right, can get them off to the perfect start by taking the 1m handicap at 17:00. It's fair to say that Start Right was a frustrating customer for Luca Cumani last year but, while he failed to win in 2010, he shaped really well on three of his four starts, including when second to Highland Knight at Sandown on his final one, and has long left the impression that he's up to landing a big pot. The fact that he's been off since July isn't a concern - indeed, it was reported at the time that he would be put away with Dubai in mind - and he should have too much class for his rivals.

There is only one thing surer than a Godolphin victory at Meydan and that's a victory for Mike de Kokk. The South African handler has a number of runners on day one, but his best chance on the card is Mahbooba in the Al Rashidiya Trial at 17:35. She was something of a flag bearer for de Kokk last year, winning the UAE 1000 Guineas before going on to finished placed in both the UAE Oaks and Derby. She then came over to England, where she improved to land a listed contest at Newmarket despite racing freely, while she was far from disgraced on her final start when sixth in a Grade 1 event in Canada. Needless to say, this is far easier, and it will be disappointing if she doesn't get her head in front.

The final bet is a touch more speculative. The 16-runner handicap at 18:15 which rounds off proceedings is competitive, to put it mildly, but Dandy Boy should go close having won first time out at Meydan last year. He didn't show anything in three subsequent outings, his last two in Ireland coming on the back of an eight-month absence, but hopefully it's been a case of David Marnane focusing all attention on getting Dandy Boy back to Dubai in peak condition rather the horse simply being regressive - he is worth risking at what, hopefully, will be a value price.

Timeform Dubai SmartPlays
Back Start Right to win the 17:00
Back Mahbooba to win the 17:35
Back Dandy Boy to win and place in the 18:15

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