THERE is a race meeting at Meydan in Dubai on Saturday. Kindly sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, at least two of the six races have attracted runners likely to grace the Dubai World Cup Carnival itself at some stage this year and a further two offering a good opportunity for an easy winner to qualify for the Carnival.

The turf is to be used for the first time domestically this season and arguably the most interesting race is the fourth, a 1200m handicap on the grass in which the weights are headed by Ahtoug.

Ahtoug is trained by Godolphin handler, Mahmoud Al Zarooni who was in treble form on Thursday and the Mike De Kock-trained Royal Ridge.

Royal Ridge.

Kieren Fallon takes the ride and the runner was in good form when last seen in the UK in August.

“He won at Chester in May, having totally missed the break,” said Al Zarooni. “That was a big win from a poor position and his last run was a good third at the Shergar Cup. We had a great night on Thursday and the horses are running well.”

Of Royal Ridge, the mount of Paul Hanagan for his main employer HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, De Kock said: “We think he is a proper horse for Dubai and the Carnival so this provides an opportunity to get him on the track as we have not been able to get a run on the all-weather yet. He is in good form but will need every yard of this trip.”