Timeform Dubai SmartPlays: Thursday February 23

Tipping / Stephen Molyneux / 23 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Lee Westwood owns Rerouted

"I maintain that Rerouted will be contesting, and probably winning, pattern races before too much longer."

There's another quality card at Meydan on Thursday and Timeform Dubai Handicapper Stephen Molyneux has three recommended SmartPlays...

Mike de Kock has enjoyed a relatively quiet Carnival by his own exceedingly high standards but he stepped things up a notch last weekend with a trio of winners and there is every chance this could be his best week yet. Jardim can get him off to a good start in the 15:05 having shaped well behind Zain Shamardal seven days ago. That was just his second start for de Kock having spent most of his career in Brazil and America and the way he stayed on strongly from off the pace suggests he could have untapped potential over the longer trip. Though acknowledging Jamr and Spring of Fame have both been in good form, the race isn't a strong one and Jardim should reach a place at the very least.

A winner for Richard Hills on next month's Dubai World Cup night will be the perfect way for the rider to end his career and, as things stands, Entifaadha looks one of his better chances with the William Haggas-trained three-year-old being lined up for a crack at the UAE Derby. First of all though Entifaadha will need to dispose of his 11 rivals in the 15:45 and everything points to him doing so. He progressed well kept to seven furlongs in England last year, winning on his debut then following up in the Acomb Stakes at York. Entifaadha was far from disgraced subsequently whilst having potential excuses for defeat and the lion's share of his pedigree points to him improving now stepped up to a mile. The majority of his rivals have something to prove and he should take some beating.

There is always a danger of being lured in by horses that habitually finish strongly without quite getting there and there is an element of that with Rerouted, who contests the concluding minor event at 17:30. That said, he's always looked a classy individual and there must be every chance that the six and seven furlongs he has run over this year will ultimately prove inadequate. The trip he faces this time is nine furlongs and, although in some respects this will be his toughest assignment off level weights taking on some smart performers, I maintain that Rerouted will be contesting, and probably winning, pattern races before too much longer. His two runs this year are actually very solid pieces of form, fifth behind Hitchens then third behind Delegator, and although this comes just a week after the latter of those efforts, he should have the quality to overcome that.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Jardim to win the 15:05
Back Entifaadha to win the 15:45
Back Rerouted to win the 17:30

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Click HERE to listen to Stephen previewing three races on the Meydan card.

Visit timeform.com to download a race card for Thursday's meeting at Meydan.