A 5yo gelded son of Curlin, Appleby's charge has won half of his eight career starts to date, including twice at Meydan, over this 1600m course and distance last March and on his seasonal return in a 2000m rated conditions stakes, the Nad Al Sheba Classic, on New Year's Day.
Neither of his Meydan victories have been achieved on a Dubai World Cup Carnival card and on his most recent start, in a 2000m dirt handicap at the international extravaganza, he was well beaten in sixth.
That was a month ago and Appleby said: "We know conditions suit him and he is in good order at home. He stays further so we will be hoping they go a good gallop."
Salem bin Ghadayer relies on Rare Ninja , the mount of Mickael Barzalona and impressive winner of a 1900m dirt conditions race on his final start of last season in April.
A 4yo Distorted Humor colt, this will be just his second appearance of the current campaign having finished well beaten over 1950m at Jebel Ali three weeks ago.
Bin Ghadayer said: "He is generally a very consistent performer and would have needed that Jebel Ali return. He likes Meydan, is training well and we go there hopeful of a big run."
Mnasek won the 1900m dirt Group 3 UAE Oaks at Meydan on this weekend last year and was a pleasing second, over an inadequate 1400m, on the Meydan dirt on her seasonal bow in November.
It is easy to forgive her subsequent turf defeats in the Group 2 Cape Verdi and Balanchine so she should appreciate this return to dirt over the course and distance she was runner-up in last year's UAE 1000 Guineas.
Also on dirt and the longest race on the card, a 2200m rated conditions stakes looks wide open with Bin Ghadayer saddling three, Honorable Justice, Untold Secret and Attribution, the choice of Barzalona.
Bin Ghadayer said: "They are three nice horses but Attribution looks our best hope in an open race. He has twice won at Jebel Ali but, so far, has not run so well at Meydan. However, this trip should be ideal and we hope he can run well."
For Shadwell, Dane O'Neill partners Dalaalaat for Musabbeh Al Mheiri who said: "He was staying on over 1900m last time and we think this extra 300m will suit him. We hope he has a decent chance."
From a trio of Watson runners, Pat Dobbs has opted to partner Pharoah King, always held in high regard by his trainer, leaving Sam Hitchcott to ride Meqdam with George Buckell aboard stable companion Mulfit.
Given the strength at his disposal, it looks significant Bhupat Seemar relies on Knockacullian, the mount of Tadhg O'Shea but yet to add to his one career success, for Richard Hughes at Southwell, in September 2019.
A 6yo entire son of Bernardini, he has finished third on both his latest two appearances, including behind Attribution on his penultimate start. Trying to concede that rival 3kgs on that occasion, he actually receives 1.5kgs this time so is much better off at the weights and must have a realistic chance of reversing the form.
