Dubai 
/ Timeform / 30 March 2012 / 1 Comments 
Who will win the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan?
"So You Think... can add another Group 1 win to his CV."
The world's richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday March 31, has attracted a star-studded fourteen-runner field. Timeform give you their assessment of the race, runner by runner....
Master of Hounds (Mike de Kock/Christophe Soumillon) was just denied in the UAE Derby last year for Aidan O'Brien, and made breakthrough at top level when making all to win Jebel Hatta earlier this month. Unlikely to get his own way here, however.
Eishin Flash (Hideaki Fujiwara/Christophe Lemaire) is a smart performer who won Japanese Derby back in 2010. Continued to run creditably at the top level since, runner-up in Group 1 Arima Kinen on Christmas Day. Could go well at a decent price.
Zazou (Waldemar Hickst/Olivier Peslier) is a smart German-trained runner who beat Rio de La Plata when winning Premio Roma in November. Ended year by finishing third in Hong Kong Cup and claimed scalp of Cirrus des Aigles on reappearance.
So You Think (Aidan O'Brien/Joseph O'Brien) was top class in Australia and won Tattersalls Gold Cup, Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes in first European campaign last year. Should have few problems on this surface and could prove tough to beat.
Smart Falcon (Ken Kozaki/Yutaka Take) is a high-class Japanese front-runner who has won 23 races in his career, including his last 9. Warmed up for this with easy success in listed race in January, and worthy of plenty of respect.
Planteur (Marco Botti/Ryan Moore) looked set for excellent campaign in 2011 when winning first 2 starts, including Prix Ganay. Didn't go on as expected after that, but claims if new yard can get him firing on all cylinders.
Royal Delta (William Mott/Jose Lezcano) was a dual Grade 1 winner in 2011, winning both the Alabama Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Not disgraced over inadequate trip on return last month, and should be spot on here.
Monterosso (Mahmood Al Zarooni/Mickael Barzalona) performed creditably in light campaign last year, winning Dubai City of Gold then finishing third in this race. Should be sharper for recent return when fourth to Capponi.
Silver Pond (Doug Watson/Johnny Murtagh) was formerly trained in France by Freddie Head where he won Group 2 at Chantilly last year. Encouraging start for this yard when runner-up to Capponi, but more needed to feature here.
Transcend (Takayuki Yasuda/Shinji Fujita) has a good strike rate and only narrowly denied in this race last year. Since won 2 of his 4 starts, although wasn't at his best when midfield in Group One February Stakes last time.
Capponi (Mahmood Al Zarooni/Ahmed Ajtebi) has continued to progress this year, winning his last 2 starts, latest when beating Silver Pond in Round 3 of Maktoum Challenge. Entitled to a crack at this level.
Prince Bishop (Saeed bin Suroor/Frankie Dettori) has done well since visored, and produced career-best when winning handicap here in January. Only third behind Capponi last time, and difficult to see him proving good enough to win this.
Mendip (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre de Sousa) is lightly-raced, but has a good strike rate and won Round 2 of Maktoum Challenge in February. Not in same form when behind Capponi last time, and this tough race in which to bounce back.
Game On Dude (Bob Baffert/Chantal Sutherland) is a consistent performer who won 3 times during 2011 before running best race when second in Breeders' Cup Classic. Tuned up for this by winning Grade 2 at Santa Anita last month.
Timeform 1-2-3
1. So You Think
2. Eishin Flash
3. Smart Falcon
Timeform View: The Japanese-trained Victoire Pisa won this last year and the Japanese are well represented again in a bid to follow-up. The pick of their trio may be Eishin Flash, whilst the prolific Smart Falcon also warrants plenty of respect. However, they may struggle to cope with So You Think, and this globe-trotting star can add another Group 1 win to his CV.
Visit timeform.com to download a race card for Dubai World Cup night.
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