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Captain's Blog - 20th January 2011

Unfortunately Ludlow has fallen foul of the weather today, but on we will still be bringing you all the action from Meydan. This is day 2 of the Carnival and the card is as competitive as ever. The highlights are the UAE 2000 Guineas trial and the Cape Verdi. Both Mike De Kock and Saeed Bin Surror seem to have their usual strong hands and given their excellent start to the Carnival last week it would be folly to ignore their runners.

Zanzamar will be favourite for the Guineas trial on the back of a good run to be third in a Grade 1 at Greyville when he was last seen. I would have a slight doubt about the trip of seven furlongs for him as he was running on very strongly over a mile at Greyville, but Mike De Kock is a target trainer and I have no doubt that this horse will be a live one for the 2000 Guineas itself and this is just a stepping stone. He may well be good enough to win despite the trip and De Kock showed last week that his horses are in very good order. Saeed Bin Suroor is represented by Janood who won a maiden at Newbury before being well beaten in the National stalkes and a valuable sales race at Newmarket. He has the look of a horse who may well have some more improvement in him and his pedigree suggests that the Tapeta surface will suit him. Frankie Dettori is on board and this progressive type should run well. On balance I will be taking achance with Janood but the De Kock runner may well be different class.

The Cape Verdi is the big race of the day. It is a Group 2 race on the turf over a mile and features some decent fillies. Deem won the Balanchine here last year narrowly beating Aspectoflove and the two meet again today. Deem has been off the track since being beaten just under two lengths here in the Sheema Classic last march whereas Aspectoflove won narrowly at Lingfield a few weeks ago. River Jetez has good Graded stakes form in her native South Africa and will be a popular choice for Mike De Kock. Deem looks to be the class act in the field though and if she can overcome a long lay off she should go well.

I hope you enjoy all of the Meydan action today and I am looking forward to being back with you on Racing UK for Meydan next week.

Have an enjoyable day. All the best.

Today’s Selection

2:50 Lingfield – Buaiteoir – (each way 9/2 Sky Bet )