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Second round of Maktoum challenge at Meydan

3 minute read

That's a G2 feature plus there will be the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas and the G3 Firebreak both over the mile on the Thursday card.

At this stage of the International Festival the home team usually has the weight of numbers in their favour, but Mike de Kock is now running a strong stable in Dubai and of course the Singaporeans have been performing wonders so far.

The Guineas sees the Singaporean Dark Matter up against a few horses he's beaten before in the trial, but he's had a race since then and won again and 6/1 looks very nice if you can get it - that's the UK quote. They have made the Godolphin runners Rassam and Kinglet 6/4 and 4/1 which could be a bit skinny. Mike de Kock saddles Mickdaam at 5/1 which could be a play if going for multiples.

The Firebreak sees the return to the track of the top South African runner Bold Silvano who unfortunately got injured this time last year and has been absent since. He's the class act in this field and even without recent racing should be good enough fresh to take care of this. He's 7/4, with Godolphin's Ecliptic on 7/2 and African Story 5/1.

The Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 is over 1700m and has Dubai Prince 5/2 and Prince Bishop 4/1 for a possible princely quinella. Godolphin's recent purchase Pisco Sour has a run in this and will have William Buick riding, and Master of Hounds, formerly with Aiden O'Brien and now with Mike de Kock is top value at 6/1 based on the way in which he flew home in the first leg.