UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Timeform
16 January 2013

Jamie Spencer will be aboard Glass Office.

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Timeform take a runner-by-runner look at the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial, staged at Meydan over seven furlongs...

"Glass Office was progressive last season and improved a chunk on final outing when winning a Group 3 at Kempton..."

Soft Falling Rain was unbeaten in 4 outings in South Africa, his most prestigious success coming on final outing when landing a Grade 1. Trip a slight unknown (all runs over 5f/6f) but very much respected.

El Estruendoso made a winning debut when landing the odds in 9-runner affair at Scottsville last May. Sure to build on that and is an interesting contender for a yard that does well in this type of contest.

Zahee was a 3-time winner in New Zealand, ending last year with a pair of victories in minor events. Could improve further for this yard but jockey bookings suggest stable have stronger claims elsewhere.

Glass Office was progressive last season and improved a chunk on final outing when winning a Group 3 at Kempton. Could still have more to offer and is unbeaten on an artificial surface.

Bircham was a maiden winner at Ripon last year but didn't really go on from that, soundly beaten in nurseries on his last 3 starts. Looks to face a stiff task at this level starting out for new yard.

Bravo Youmzain was placed on all 5 of his starts for Marco Botti last year, actually improving on final outing when second to Pure Excellence in a minor event at Haydock. Needs to keep going the right way to feature.

Desert of Dreams took a while to get off the mark before winning a maiden lacking depth at Meydan in December. Far from disgraced in a handicap taking on older horses last time but he does look well exposed now.

Filfil made a winning debut and rather belatedly built on that when taking a weak nursery off a mark of 79 last time. That suggests he will be vulnerable here unless he improves appreciably.

I'm Back won 3 of his 5 starts last season, finding plenty of improvement to win a nursery off a mark of 83 at Kempton on final outing. Sound claims in this although wide draw not ideal.

Luhaif was a maiden winner at Newmarket last June and highly tried after, running his best race when third to Olympic Glory in Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Lacks potential but has place claims.

Related was steadily progressive for Clive Cox, off the mark on final outing in 2012 when beating Pythagorean at York. Good run against older horses here last time and could easily have more to offer.

Snowboarder won 3 of his 5 starts last year, but not as progressive as that suggests, only needing to match previous efforts when winning a muddling affair last time. More needed in this.

Tarbawi is still a maiden, though did finish runner-up twice for Saeed bin Suroor last year. Headgear already tried so has limited scope for further improvement and faces very stiff task here.

Timoneer was a winner on debut and progressed in a couple of subsequent outings, third to Al Waab in a minor event then third of 4 to Go Angellica in listed company. Should have more to offer.

Ormindo was placed 3 times for Mahmood Al Zarooni last year but already looks well exposed and unlikely to be good enough in this company. RESERVE.

Ouzinkie was aggressively campaigned last year but actually improved at the end of it, completing a hat-trick of victories. Has since left Mick Channon but shouldn't be good enough in this. RESERVE.

Price Is Truth cost plenty but did little to justify that price tag whilst in the care of Mahmood Al Zarooni, his best effort coming when fourth in a Lingfield maiden. Hard to fancy on in this. RESERVE.

Constans was not disgraced in 3 maidens for Clive Cox last year, but hardly progressive and finished well beaten on debut for this yard in a similar event at Jebel Ali. Should be outclassed in this. RESERVE.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Glass Office
2. Soft Falling Rain
3. Related

Timeform Verdict: Not an easy race to solve with some big yards having multiple representation. Soft Falling Rain could easily be too good but the stable had some disappointments last week and Glass Office may offer some value. The selection is progressive in his own right and is unbeaten on an artificial surface. Related ran well against older horses last time and is another to consider.

3 top-rated winners at Meydan last week. Download Thursday's Race Card at timeform.com