Dubai 
/ Stephen Molyneux / 08 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Can Christophe Soumillon (pictured) guide Master of Hounds to victory
"I expect Master of Hounds to emerge on top and finally show himself to be the high-class performer he’s always threatened to be."
Timeform's Dubai handicapper, Stephen Molyneux, is back with three more SmartPlays for Thursday's meeting at Meydan...
The UAE 2000 Guineas at 15:45 is essentially a re-run of the trial that took place in January. Dark Matter came out on top that day and has won since, but the runner-up Kinglet arguably shaped better than anything and he is taken to emerge victorious on this occasion. Frankie Dettori has thrown something of a curve ball by opting to stick with Rassam, and he certainly has plenty of scope, but he will need to settle better to see out this extra furlong and he hasn't been done any favours by the draw. Kinglet, on the other hand, is already proven at this trip, is still going the right way and certainly caught the eye in the way he finished his race off behind Dark Matter last time. Hopefully, jockey bookings will ensure he is a bigger price than he ought to be, and he certainly looks the bet.
Master of Hounds was one of the eye-catchers of the whole Carnival when running on strongly into second behind Musir last time and he is fancied to go one better in the second round of the Maktoum Challenge at 17:30. Mike de Kock has done well with several ex-Ballydoyle inmates, Golden Sword immediately springing to mind, and connections harbour Dubai World Cup aspirations with Master of Hounds, so in that respect nothing less than a victory in this race will suffice. He ran a fine race when beaten a nose over this course and distance in the UAE Derby last year and, whilst the likes of Prince Bishop and Dubai Prince will provide stern opposition, I expect Master of Hounds to emerge on top and finally show himself to be the high-class performer he's always threatened to be.
Mutahadee will be contesting Group races before the end of the Carnival but before then he can pick up another handicap in the concluding event at 18:05. Unexposed for Tommy Stack, he wasted no time in showing himself to be a smart performer for this yard when bolting up over the same course and distance last time. That race admittedly lacked depth, but so does this and the handicapper has taken a big chance by just raising him the 6 lb for that. He should take plenty of beating despite an unhelpful draw in stall 13.
Timeform Dubai SmartPlays
Back Kinglet to win the 15:45
Back Master of Hounds to win the 17:30
Back Mutahadee to win the 18:05
Visit timeform.com to download a race card for Thursday's meeting at Meydan.
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