Timeform Dubai SmartPlays: Meydan, Thursday December 6

Racing takes place at Meydan on Thursday.

Timeform's Dubai handicapper, Stephen Molyneux, is in action at Meydan on Thursday...

The 15:55 is a fiercely competitive sprint handicap but there are a couple in there that could be worth risking against the field. The most solid proposition is Innocuous who ran well over 1m last time, looking the likeliest winner for much of the straight only to be run down late on by Trojan Nights. He was forced wide throughout whilst arguably made his effort too soon, all in all shaping very well and the drop back to 6f is clearly in his favour. The second one to consider, and is far more speculative, is Ritual who was most progressive for Jeremy Noseda back in 2010/11 but has rather lost his way, including since coming to Dubai. He's since joined Musabah Al Muhairi, however, and with that yard in such good form it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him bounce back, and he's been given a chance by the handicapper if he does. 

It could also be worth taking two against the field in the 16:30 and the reasoning for supporting one of them, Suited And Booted, is exactly the same to that of Ritual. Like Ritual, he was trained by Saoud Al Ajmi last season whose runners cut little ice all campaign. Suited And Booted actually came closest to winning when fifth to Rutland Boy at Meydan and hopefully he will be rejuvenated by the switch to Al Muhairi. Needleleef is the main win hope in the race having shaped with plenty of promise in both his outings to date. He was set too much to do on his reappearance before staying on strongly into fourth behind Skycruiser then finished eighth behind Profondo Rosso last time over a trip he doesn't stay, racing freely and also meeting trouble. It's fair to say he doesn't find winning easy with just a debut success to his name but he looks ready to strike and this looks a suitable opportunity. 

Two old favourites in Barbecue Eddie and Rochdale could easily take out the last two races on the card at 17:05 and 17:35. The case for the pair is fairly straightforward, both are suited by the conditions of their respective races and both have already proven their wellbeing this season with victories last month. Rochdale is actually bidding to win this race for a third successive season and it will be disappointing if he doesn't complete the hat-trick. 

Timeform Dubai SmartPlays
Back Innocuous in the 15:55  
Back Ritual to win and place in the 15:55 
Back Needleleaf in the 16:30 
Back Suited And Booted to win and place in the 16:30 
Back Barbecue Eddie in the 17:05 
Back Rochdale in the 17:35 (NAP) 

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