Dubai Prince returns in Maktoum Challenge

Preview: UAE, Thursday

Meydan: Maktoum Challenge R2 (Group 2) 1m1½f, Tapeta 3yo+ 5.30pm GMT

ONE-TIME Classic hope Dubai Prince is the choice of Frankie Dettori as the still unexposed colt makes his first start of the year on a top-class card on Thursday.

He runs in the Maktoum Challenge II which has been elevated to Group 2 standard for the first time this season and has attracted a quality field of 11.

Undefeated in two starts as a juvenile for Dermot Weld in Ireland, Dubai Prince was transferred to Godolphin and Mahmood Al Zarooni for his Classic campaign last year but missed the majority of the season through injury, before returning in September to win a conditions race at Newbury.

His only subsequent start was when failing to beat a rival in the Champion Stakes but he has reportedly thrived since and Dettori rides him from five runners trained by the Godolphin trainers.

Al Zarooni also has Biondetti (Mickael Barzalona), a Group 1 winner as a juvenile in 2010 but, like his stablemate only twice-raced in 2011, in a field where Saeed Bin Suroor is responsible for three runners of which Prince Bishop (Silvestre de Sousa) was ultra impressive when winning in handicap company under Dettori three weeks ago.

Stablemate Mendip (Kieren Fallon) is a course and distance winner who disappointed when trying to defend his crown in Maktoum Challenge R1, again under Dettori, while the trainer's third runner Pisco Sour (William Buick) is making his first start for the team having been bought out of Hughie Morrison's yard. Bin Suroor is seeking an eighth win in the race.

With all 11 runners Maktoum-owned, it would appear that the Mike De Kock-trained Master Of Hounds poses the biggest threat to the Godolphin trainers. Runner-up in last year's UAE Derby for Aidan O'Brien, he was purchased privately by De Kock's main patron, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, with the $10million Dubai World Cup as the ultimate target.

He made a very pleasing first start for new connections when chasing home stablemate Musir in Maktoum Challenge R1 and the South African trainer has won the race three times, including last year with Bold Silvano.

What they say

SaeedBin Suroor, trainer of Prince Bishop, Mendip and Pisco Sour

"We were very pleased with Prince Bishop's successful return and that was a very good win but in lesser company than this race which looks very good. He worked well two days ago and last week so clearly remains in good form.

"Mendip needed his first run badly and has come on an awful lot from that outing. He is in great form at home and is ready for a run. He has won over this trip and this run should help us decide whether this distance or the mile is his optimum.

"Pisco Sour will be having his first run for us. He is going well at home but is likely to need this outing."

Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer of Dubai Prince and Biondetti

"We are really looking forward to running them both this year as they have a touch of class and are very nice horses to have in the yard. Dubai Prince has improved with each piece of work in his preparation and worked very well last time. We all really like him and have continued learning about him ever since he joined us. He has not run or worked on Tapeta which hasto be a query and will certainly come on for the run but I am hoping for a big effort.

"Biondetti is probably slightly behind Dubai Prince and in his preparation and perhaps eighty five percent fit but the surface will not bea problem as he always went very well on similar surfaces in the UK - both in his work and when winning at Kempton."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Master Of Hounds and Hunting Tower

"This has always been the plan for Master of Hounds as we take the next step to World Cup night and he ran a great race in the first round but this looks a proper Group 2 race and he will need to be near his best. The end of March is still a long way away and there is definitely something left to work on but we are very happy with him and the step up in trip is very much in his favour.

"Hunting Tower faces a stiff task and I would be very pleased if he made the first four."

Abdulla bin Huzaim, trainer of Firebet and Submariner

"They are both in good form but this is obviously a very good race and a stiff challenge."

Richard Mullen, jockey for Richard's Kid

"He is in great form at home and looks really well but is certain to improve for the run in a very hot renewal. That said, I do think he is a lot further forward thanhe was at this time a year ago but this is just his first step towards, hopefully, World Cup night."

Richard Hills, jockey for Haatheq

"He is a really tough and consistent horse who never runs a bad race and has run two big races in defeat at Jebel Ali on his only two starts this season. The return to Meydan and Tapeta will not be a problem but the race is a Group 2 for the first time this year and has attracted a suitable entry. He should run his usual solid race but probably faces a stiff task in a very good renewal."