Dubai World Cup Night SmartPlays: Meydan, Saturday March 29

Stephen Molyneux
28 March 2014

Aidan O'Brien could enjoy success at Meydan on Saturday

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Our Dubai expert, Stephen Molyneux, has anaylsed the top-class racing from Meydan and brings you three bets...

Aidan O'Brien could have an excellent night as, in addition to saddling Giovanni Boldini in the UAE Dervy, his Magician looks a big challenger in the Dubai Sheema Classic...

Charlie Appleby has had a good record first-time out with his horses at the Carnival this season, but none have gone on to win on their second starts which makes Long John vulnerable in the UAE Derby at 14:25, and he is readily opposed with Giovanni Boldini. Aidan O'Brien has won the last two renewals of this race with Daddy Long Legs and Lines Of Battle, two horses who didn't seem anywhere near as classy as Giovanni Boldini, or indeed have as much potential. He was limited to just the four starts last season, winning two of them, but he arguably posted his most impressive performances in defeat, not beaten far by Toormore in the National Stakes at the Curragh and an excellent second to Outstrip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He probably got into a battle too far out that day, setting things up for the eventual winner, but it was a very good effort all the same and he strikes as being just the sort of grinding type that will be well suited to the demands of racing on tapeta.

Vercingetorix doesn't have a great draw in stall 11 for the Dubai Duty Free at 16:39 (no that isn't a misprint the race really is due off at 16:39!) but he is still fancied to extend his unbeaten record to seven. He has been a workmanlike winner of both his starts this season, but neither effort has got to the bottom of him and he leaves the firm impression that he could improve again granted the right circumstances. He readily got to the front last time in the Jebel Hatta, the recognised trial for this race, before tending to idle, and there is always one horse that comes through the Carnival and wins on the big night, this year it could easily be him.

Aidan O'Brien could have an excellent night as, in addition to saddling Giovanni Boldini in the UAE Dervy, his Magician looks a big challenger in the Dubai Sheema Classic at 17:17. He has been a steady improver throughout his career, lightly raced all along, and he really came of age when quickening smartly to run down The Fugue in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita last time. That was his first start over 12f and you couldn't help but be impressed at how he relished the longer trip; there has to be a chance he develops into a real flag bearer for the yard this year. O'Brien has started St. Nicholas Abbey off in this previously and it seems significant that Magician is running in Dubai. He will take some beating.

Dubai World Cup Night SmartPlays:

Back Giovanni Boldini in the 14:25
Back Vercingetorix in the 16:39
Back Magician in the 17:17