TimeformBlog

The opening thoroughbred contest at 15:05 is a really competitive affair and perhaps not the best race to be nailing ones colours to the mast, but Barbecue Eddie went into the imaginary notebook after his second to Reynaldothewizard at Meydan on his reappearance and confidence hasn't waned despite the strength of the opposition. Seven furlongs is his trip as never looked entirely comfortable over a furlong shorter last time (also on the back foot after a slow start) and, although his mark of 105 will demand a career-best effort, he should at least be capable of placing despite his advancing years and may even be able to grab a victory.

Godolphin and Mike de Kokk traditionally dominate the races designed for the classic generation at the Carnival and it will be a big surprise if the winner of the UAE 2000 trial at 16:25 doesn't emerge from one of those camps. It really does look as though Godolphin hold all the aces on this occasion and Rassam is taken to supplement his Kempton gains. Victory was clearly expected on his debut, backed into odds-on and he didn't disappoint, tanking all over his field and readily drawing clear to win by seven lengths. He probably didn't beat much (the runner-up has at least won since) but the manner of victory was certainly taking and he looks destined to go onto much better things.

Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni will introduce a number of interesting acquisitions throughout the card but perhaps none more so than Alkimos, who should take some beating in the 18:15. This will be just his fifth start after a progressive campaign for Luca Cumani in 2011, winning a maiden at Windsor on his second outing before following up in a minor event at Doncaster. His best effort almost certainly came on his final run of the year when chasing home Pisco Sour in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot, in turn finishing nicely clear of Slumber, and whilst he may need an extra furlong or two in time, he should get away with it on his reappearance and he certainly strikes as being well handicapped off a mark of 103.

Back Barbecue Eddie win and place in the 15:05
Back Rassam to win the 16:25
Back Alkimos to win the 18:15

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