De Kock still upbeat despite big-race reverses

TRAINER Mike De Kock was in an upbeat mood after racing at Meydan on Thursday night despite seeing both his main Dubai World Cup hopefuls Bold Silvano and Master Of Hounds fail to justify favouritism.

He said: "The end of March is a long way off and both have more to come - especially Bold Silvano who has been off for 53 weeks and was running over a trip short of his best.

"With a clear passage he would have been closer and he will have come on a lot for that, while Master Of Hounds is also going to be better stepped up to the World Cup trip. He too will improve from tonight."

He was also delighted with Mutahadee and Anaerobio, who were first and second in the concluding 1m1f turf handicap - the same course and distance as the Group 1 $5million Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night.

He said: "Mutahadee has really surprised us with his two wins this year as he does not show as much at home.

"He has little mileage on the clock and it would be nice to think he can improve again. Anaerobio has improved from each run after his year off and that was a much better effort."

Stable companion Mickdaam was an excellent second in the UAE 2,000 Guineas and De Kock added: "He too was running over what will be his minimum trip and we are really looking forward to stepping him up in trip for the Al Bastikiya and UAE Derby."