Timeform Dubai SmartPlays: Thursday January 26

Dubai / Stephen Molyneux / 26 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Frankie will be on board new Godolphin recruit African Story

"Godolphin have done well with their French imports this year and they could have another smart performer on their hands in the form of African Story..."

Timeform's Dubai handicapper Stephen Molyneux is back with three more SmartPlays at Meydan on Thursday...

Ariete Arrollador caught the eye behind Barbecue Eddie last time and is fancied to go one better in the opening 6f handicap at 14:45. He was the Spanish 2000 Guineas winner back in 2010 and maintained his excellent strike rate last year with four victories, three of which came on the all-weather surface at Deauville. He looked a natural on the tapeta on his recent return, travelling best of all but conceding first run to Barbecue Eddie, which proved vital at the finish. He should get a nice lead into the race from stall 4 and, hopefully, he can pounce late on.

Godolphin have done well with their French imports this year and they could have another smart performer on their hands in the form of African Story, who should go close in the handicap at 15:20. He had only the one victory to his name for Andre Fabre last year but ran some cracking races in defeat, most notably when a head behind Moonlight Cloud in a Group 3 at Longchamp. Time subsequently told that he faced a stiff task in trying to give 8 lb to the filly and, put simply, he should be capable of winning a handicap off a mark of 110 based on that.

Belgian Bill continues to progress without winning, but he can hopefully put that right in the 16:40. He ended last year with a fine second in a Group 2 in Turkey and filled the same position on his recent return at Meydan when chasing home the totally unexposed Songcraft. He had everything else well beaten that day, and whilst he has a 2 lb rise and different surface to contend with today, he should still be good enough to see off a largely-exposed bunch.

Timeform Dubai SmartPlays

Back Ariete Arrollador to win the 14:45
Back African Story to win the 15:20
Back Belgian Bill to wiin the 16:40

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