TimeformBlog

There are two big sprints at Meydan on Saturday, races that [b]Alo Pura[/b] could easily have figured in but Dhruba Selvaratnam has opted to run her in the calmer waters of the listed event at 11:35 and hopefully that move will pay dividends. She has had another profitable campaign, winning at the track in December before catching the eye on her next two starts at Meydan, not getting much luck on either occasion. She still managed to finish third behind Hitchens last time and a reproduction of that form should be good enough, particularly as this should be run to suit; Kilt Rock, Russian Rock, Spin Cycle, Silaah and Star Crowned all potential front-runners who can help set it up for her. The handicap at 12:10 looks a competitive affair but it will be easier than the races [b]Step In ...

Godolphin fired in five winners last Friday, so it's with a degree of trepidation that I shun them completely for my three SmartPlays this week, the first of which, [b]Prince d'Alienor[/b] runs in the 15:05. He progressed well in France last year, winning four times in total, and he wouldn't have been far off adding to those wins had he not been left with so much to do behind Iguazu Falls on his recent reappearance. Prince d'Alienor did remarkably well to grab fourth in the end in a race dominated from the start by the winner and Krypton Factor (has won since), finishing to such good effect that it's not hard to imagine him actually pulling out more over the longer trip he faces on Thursday afternoon. [b]Ariete Arrollador[/b] was a confident selection in this column a few weeks ago and...

A really tricky opening to the card at 11.00, which should at least ensure a reasonable price about [b]Kavango[/b], the five-year-old taken to build on the glimmer of promise he showed behind Musir on his reappearance. Kavango finished runner-up three times at the Carnival 12 months ago and, although on the face of things he looks high enough in the weights, it's one of those races where handicap marks may not actually count for much given how closely matched the 14 runners are. He wasn't really entitled to be involved in the Maktoum Challenge (Round 1) on his reappearance given his rating, but he actually shaped quite well in racing prominently for a long way before the lack of a recent run began to take its toll, early keenness not exactly helping either. He's fully entitled to come on...

[b]Mendip[/b] is the winner of 5 of his 7 outings, including when impressive winner of this race last year. Goes well fresh and has good draw, so everything looks in place for a big run. [b]Derbaas[/b] really thrived last season, winning 4 times in total, including the Al Fahidi Fort. Not disgraced when third in minor event here on return but bit to find with some of these. [b]Dance and Dance[/b] was a real improver in top 1m handicaps last year, and showed he can mix it at pattern level on his last 3 starts. Return to AW shouldn't be a problem but must break on terms against these rivals. [b]Musir[/b] is a smart performer who's proving most reliable. Won the 2010 UAE Derby and ended last year on a high when impressive winner of Turkish Group 2 in September. Looks the one to beat...

[b]Street Act[/b] looks the one to be on in the 12:15 following a promising effort at the track a week ago. He took a while to get off the mark but his form this season is strong, chasing home the much-improved Sarbola on his reappearance before beating Earth Tour in a maiden over today's course and distance. He went very close to following up last time and it's that effort that makes him of definite interest again, forced brutally wide throughout yet still hitting the front inside the final 2f before those exertions told late on. The way he travelled suggests there is more in the tank and whilst acknowledging he's probably not the most straightforward, that trait does at least ensure he still has some scope off his current mark. The 13.30 contains several disappointing sorts and it ...

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, [b]Start Right[/b], 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...

It's possibly wishful thinking on my part to expect [b]Ru'oud[/b] to be much of a price in the 10:35 but he really should take plenty of beating in a maiden that lacks depth. He ran two promising races for Saeed bin Suroor last year, both over 1m, and on both occasions he absolutely tanked along before his effort petered out. The form is strong, beaten only by Colour Vision on his debut then fifth to Census at Bath and, if anything, he should be suited by this drop to 6f. Two concerns are obviously the lack of a recent run and the application of a tongue tie, but it will still be disappointing if he can't account for a field that are either fully exposed or very limited in ability. Dhruba Selvaratnam hit top form at Meydan last week with three winners and hopefully [b]Otaared[/b] can...

[b]Just as you were coming to terms with the end of the Rio Carnival, the Dubai version winds up as well. At least there were some scantilly-clad Brazilians (not Ronaldinho) to help you get over the former, a trio of tips from Stephen Molyneux will have to do to greet the end of the Meydan jamboree [/b] The 3-y-o colts have been a massive disappointment this year and they may have to play second fiddle again to Chocolicious in the 14:35. The likes of Mahbooba and Reem have dominated these events for the classic generation, Chocolicious not far behind that pair on her first two starts and she is sure to find this a lot easier. Her main challengers on form all have something to prove - Electric Waves is the clear pick on ratings but she raced exclusively over 5f last year and her effort...