TimeformBlog

The opening maiden at 11:00 isn't the strongest and I'm going to take a chance on [b]Seeking Glory[/b] who has a bit to find with the principals but has got the scope to make up that ground on what will be his first outing of the season. He was placed three times late in 2010/early 2011, leaving Ed Dunlop prior to his excellent second behind Air Of Grace, form that looks very strong in the context of today's race. He wasn't at his best subsequently, a trait that is common with a lot of horses having their first season in Dubai, and hopefully given time to acclimatise and strengthen up he can come back a better horse. The stable are also responsible for the likely favourite, Nabah, but she wouldn't be the first maiden to have been highly tried by Clive Brittain and subsequently disappoint...

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 [b]Barbecue Eddie[/b] 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...

[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...

Fly Down is a regular in the top events in America, but his only victories last year came in an allowance race and a Grade 2. He was a good third to Blame in the Breeders' Cup Classic but was a touch disappointing last time. Monterosso was really progressive for Mark Johnston last year, winning five times in total, and carried that on when taking the Dubai City of Gold last time. He faces a much stiffer task down in trip now. Prince Bishop was lightly raced in France for Andre Fabre, but really improved in the second half of last season, winning his last four starts. He was put in his place by Twice Over last time though and is unlikely to be good enough. Cape Blanco was one of the best three-year-olds in training last year, winning the Irish Derby and Irish Champion, posting his...

[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...

For many 'Super Thursday' will be no different to 'Mundane Monday' or 'Turgid Tuesday', but avid followers of the Dubai Carnival will be beside themselves at the prospect of a race meeting jam-packed full of top-quality thoroughbreds. Here is a trio who can hopefully make their mark on Dubai World Cup trials day... Simon de Montfort is easily the most interesting horse in the Dubai City of Gold (17:30) and he can hopefully take the race enroute to the Dubai Sheema Classic. Connections harboured classic aspirations last spring after a couple of wins at Saint-Cloud and Longchamp but, for whatever reason, he wasn't seen out again in 2010. He made his reappearance and first start for Mahmood Al Zarooni in a handicap at Meydan earlier at the Carnival and readily came clear of Once More Dubai,...

[b]A slight lull in proceedings this week as the anticipation builds ahead of 'Super' Thursday. Nevertheless Stephen Molyneux has identified a trio of bets at Meydan to keep us going.[/b] The 16:15 is probably the most competitive race on the card but that should at least guarantee a good price about Persiste Et Signe who is taken to reverse form with Sweet Lightning. They were both comfortably put in their place by Golden Sword last time, no disgrace in that, Sweet Lightning finishing second but it was the performance of Persiste Et Signe back in seventh that caught the eye more. He was responsible for a sound gallop and was briefly clear off the home turn, no disgrace in eventually getting swallowed up and he can also be expected to come on for the run given it was his first outing...

Rarely a Carnival meeting goes by without a Mike de Kock-trained winner, yesterday very much an exception, so the South African will be keen to get back on the board today and Absolute Heretic looks to hold sound claims in the 15:50. He very much caught the eye on his reappearance when set loads to do by Jamie Spencer before flying home to finish seventh behind Lolamar, sure to have gone much closer all things being equal. He doesn't boast quite the same profile of most of his stablemates, relatively unproven in pattern company, but at the same time he is still fairly unexposed and the way he was finishing last time gives every hope of him staying the extra three furlongs here. Godolphin have had several imports from Australia over the last year or so and it's fair to say they have ...

It's 'double bubble' in Dubai this week and Stephen Molyneux hopes to get the two-day meeting off to a flying start with a trio of selections at Meydan on Thursday... The best bet of the whole meeting comes in the first (could be a long day) at 14:25 with Psychic Ability taken to account for some exposed sorts. Pyschic Ability proved most progressive in headgear last year, winning three handicaps in total, seeing his mark rise some 19 lb in the process, but that shouldn't be enough to stop him despite only finishing seventh behind Bronze Cannon in a muddling minor event on his return. He was held up in a steadily-run affair and was finishing just about best of all despite being forced very wide off the home turn. Perhaps crucially, the visor is back on today and that can focus his mind...