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Captain's Blog - Saturday 31st March 2012

The flat is back and not too soon for some of us. I am really looking forward to the forthcoming season and will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at Doncaster today whilst working in the studio with James Willoughby covering all the action from Meydan and Kempton. I am going into today in good form having watched St Helens beat local rivals Warrington last night thereby proving themselves to be right back in the groove. Now for Wigan on Good Friday! I am hoping that my rather jovial mood will help me find a winner or two this afternoon. It will not be easy, especially in Dubai where the depth of the International fields make every single race very competitive.

For me this is the best Dubai World Cup ever in terms of quality and winner finding will be tough. I am quite sweet on Rocket Man in the Golden Shaheen. He won the race last year and this time around has a good draw in stall one for a horse that has early pace and likes to race prominently. He made all to win at Kranji in his prep race and is a stand out in this field. The one that may give him most to do is the Godolphin owned Soul who looked good when beating Invincible Ash last time out and that horse has gone on to win since, but if all goes well for Rocket Man he should win again.

The Sheema Classic is a cracking contest as well and for me it has to be Cirrus Des Aigles. He had a polytrack tune up recently over an inadequate nine furlongs where he was given a sympathetic ride by the world class olivier Peslier. That should have got him spot on for this stellar contest and the smart turn of foot that he has should be too much for St Nicholas Abbey and Treasure Beach. The one slight worry I have is that he may be better at 10 furlongs than at the 12 of today, but I can see this race being steadily run and that will play into the hands of Peslier who is tactically very sound.

Those are just a few thoughts about the big day in Dubai today. James and I will be on air from 12.30 today with Mark Your Card whence we will look at the races in a lot more detail and will have a run through James's speed figures which could prove ver useful in finding a winner or two today.

I must set of for work now as I have a load of prep still to do for this big day. Do join us from 12.30 it is going to be a tremendous day of action on .

All the best.

Today’s Selection

4.35 Dubai - Rocket Man

3.25 Doncaster - Eton Forever