Mahbooba set for Dubai return on Thursday

MIKE DE KOCK'S jetsetter Mahbooba returns to action in Dubai on Thursday as the Dubai World Cup Carnival starts with a double header that continues on Friday.

Thursday's card will see the Meydan turf course used for the first time this season and the highlight is the 1m1f AlRashidiya Trial for which 18 have been entered, including Mahbooba who won the UAE 1,000 Guineas last year before placed efforts in both the UAE Oaks and Derby.

She was then based in Newmarket and won a Listed race at Newmarket before a close sixth in the Grade 1 E P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada.

Derbaas, winner of last year's Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1m onthe Meydan turf for champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe,  looks a big danger having suffered his only defeat last season in the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night.

The 5f turf handicap looks highly competitive with Al Raihe's Happy Dubai, twice a course and distance winner last season, set to face 2011 Jebel Ali Sprint winner Spin Cycle.

Ireland look set to be well represented in the same race with Invincible Ash (Mick Halford) and Nocturnal Affair (David Marnane), while George Baker and Paul Midgley could have their first UAE runners with Humidor and Internationaldebut.

Julia Feilden is another trainer set to have her first UAE runner and has moved swiftly to secure the services of Ted Durcan to ride Spirit Of Sharjah in the 1m Tapeta handicap.

Feilden is looking forward to her UAE adventure and said: "Dubai has been the plan for a little while now and he seems to have settled in nicely and taken the trip well. He is looking good in the mornings but we will obviously find out where we stand by the weekend."

Friday's meeting could be highlighted by a fascinating clash between Godolphin's Gamilati, winner of the Cherry Hinton Stakes for Mahmood Al Zarooni, and Alsindi.

The latter, now trained by Al Raihe for owner Saeed Manana, won the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes last year for Clive Brittain.

Both are penalised for their big race wins and the Stan Moore-trained Mary Fildes, third in the Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr, will be among those bidding to take advantage of the weight allowance.