Timeform Dubai SmartPlays: Jebel Ali, Friday December 14

Paul Hanagan takes over on Dhergaam in the 12:05

Timeform's Dubai expert Stephen Molyneux picks out three bets on Friday's card at Jebel Ali.

Farrier and Funon will rightly be popular in the opening handicap at 10:35 given their respective profiles but it could be worth taking them on with Mashaaref, who already has a win at Jebel Ali to his name this season. He won in a quick time by seven lengths from Final Recovery early in November, a race that admittedly didn't work out that well, but it's his run last time behind Straight Talk (who runs in a conditions event later on in the card) that makes him of interest here. Time may well tell that he faced a stiff assignment up against Straight Talk that day, a horse very much on the upgrade, and he ran well enough in the circumstances to finish third, shaping as though this extra furlong would be in his favour. The handicapper has even given him a couple of pounds back following that and, whilst Funon (impressive winner on UAE debut) and Farrier (unexposed and shaped well last time) will provide formidable opposition, Mashaaref looks the value call. 

Jockey bookings in Dubai can often be misleading but Paul Hanagan replacing an inexperienced 10 lb claimer is one that can't be ignored and, for that reason, Dherghaam is a confident selection in the 12:05. Local apprentice, Omar Ahmad, has been on board for both his starts this season, and Dhergaam ran well enough when second to Kessraa (beaten 6 lengths) and then finished fifth behind Gold Pearl when he may have pressed the pace a bit too soon. Dhergaam is 12 lb better off with Kessraa today, so is weighted to get closer, but it is the Hanagan factor that swings it further in his favour. 

The 13:05 that concludes the card may have attracted a maximum field, but there are plenty in there with questions to answer and assuming his handles the surface, Need To Know should take plenty of beating. His form last season in a couple of outings wasn't the easiest to assess, tackling a useful minor event on his second start, but he is now well on his way to that level himself having finished third (behind Dubai Iconic) in the best maiden to be run so far this season at Meydan. Need To Know then really caught the eye behind Ganas (has won again since) last time, mowing him down at a rate of knots, and assuming he doesn't get as far back on this different surface (grounds for believing on pedigree he will handle it), it will be disappointing if he doesn't go close. 

Timeform Dubai SmartPlays
Back Mashaaref in the 10:35 
Back Dherghaam in the 12:05 
Back Need To Know in the 13:05 

Remember, you can get FREE Timeform Star Ratings & Verdicts for racing in Dubai at timeform.com/free/