Ten have been declared for the 1900m turf handicap in which the weights are headed by the Simon Crisford duo Frank Zafka and Latest Generation , the latter, owned by Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the highest rated runner (96) in action on the card and seemingly the choice of James Doyle.
A 4yo gelded son of Frankel, he won a 1600m Doncaster maiden on just his second ever start, as a 2yo in September 2020, but that remains his sole success as has not won again in eight subsequent outings. He has, however, finished runner-up in decent handicaps at Sandown and Newmarket.
He has the advantage of a run this year, albeit a moderate one when well beaten over 1600m on the Meydan turf a month ago, whereas stablemate Franz Kafka, the mount of Pat Cosgrave, has been off the track for more than 700 days.
A 6yo Dubawi gelding, he made a winning start to his UAE career in a 2000m handicap on the Meydan turf in January 2020, finishing his first local campaign by chasing home Godolphin's Star Safari in a carnival handicap at the end of February 2020, his most recent public appearance.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Al Madhar was a 2000m turf handicap winner here at Meydan just a fortnight ago and looks a big danger to all under Antonio Fresu for Musabbeh Al Mheiri.
The best of the dirt action is a 1200m handicap in which the weights are headed by Upper Class , to be ridden by Vagner Leal for Antonio Cinrea Pereira and ideally drawn in stall one but who will have to concede weight to all his nine rivals.
The winner of half of his eight career starts, the 4yo Tiger Heart colt actually arrived for last year's carnival with an unbeaten record after four victories in Uruguay but has struggled thus far in the UAE with four heavy carnival defeats, two last year and twice this.
That said, this is a big drop in class and, connections will be hoping, the perfect opportunity to bounce back to form.
Heading the opposition and also qualified for the carnival is dirt debutant Aquaman , to be saddled by Doug Watson under Andrea Atzeni whose main employer, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, owns the 4yo Kodiac colt.
Well beaten on his first start for Watson a fortnight ago in a 1600m turf handicap, he won two of his nine starts in Britain for Roger Varian, both over 1400m and, as well as trying a new surface, this will also be the shortest trip over which he has raced.
The third quality handicap is also over 1200m but on turf and the final race of seven has attracted a competitive field of 12 with no less than eight already eligible for the carnival.
From five Shadwell runners, Dane O'Neill has opted to partner Jadwal for Watson and the homebred 4yo Mustajeeb gelding arrives in great form having won a course and distance handicap a fortnight ago when also the choice of O'Neill.
Watson and Atzeni again combine for Sheikh Obaid, this time with local debutant Cairn Island , a dual winner on Britain, from nine starts, for Kevin Ryan.
King Leo, for Ahmad bin Harmash and Ray Dawson, along with Sun Power, to be ridden by Ron Woodworth for Mike de Kock, are just two others with claims in an open contest.
