Dubai The Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Dormello will seek to claim a slice of UAE racing history at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club’s final fixture of the campaign on Sunday when he bids to become the first horse to win the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship (twice.

Selvaratnam’s eight-year-old entire looks to have every chance of repeating his victory of 12 months ago when he faces 11 rivals in the 2,200 metre turf showpiece.

Having already saddled the winner of the race on five previous occasions Selvaratnam’s Dormello arrives in great form, having won a 2000 metres turf handicap at the Dubai World Cup Carnival on his latest outing.

Stable jockey, Chris Hayes, is again in the saddle as he has been for all four of the horse’s previous outings this season.

“He won very well the last day and the extra 200 metres here will be in his favour,” said Hayes. “Dhruba’s horses remain in great form and we have to be very hopeful.”

Dormello, who was previously raced in France till the end of 2012, is owned by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, owns five of the 12 runners declared in a race he has won on three previous occasions.

His first jockey Paul Hanagan chooses to ride the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-prepared Khusoosy, winner of the course and distance prep race on his penultimate start but well beaten behind Dormello subsequently.

Dane O’Neill, also retained by the owner, rides the Erwan Charpy-trained Zamaam who has been running well at the Carnival.

Groor, representing Bahrain and conditioner Ali Jan, looms as a threat after looking in need of this kind of trip when winning a 1600 metres turf handicap at Meydan on his latest start.

The Satish Seemar-trained Cross Grain is an interesting runner although he has had very little racing for a six-year-old and this will only be his seventh career outing.

“We always wanted to run him on turf, but could never find the right race,” said Mullen. “We knew the surface would suit him and he may have only won a neck last time but it was a pretty comfortable neck.

“He is worth a try over this longer trip and, hopefully, will stay and be competitive.”

Ten have been declared for the Purebred Arabian equivalent, the Group 1 Emirates Championship (2200m), including four trained at Al Asayl by Eric Lemartinel.

Leading Jockey Tadhg O’Shea has elected to partner Abu Alabyad for the first time, on the horse’s tenth UAE outing.

The six-year-old has won twice locally, his highlight victory in last year’s HH The President’s Cup, over this same 2200 metres at Abu Dhabi.

“It seems amazing I have not ridden him in a race before,” said O’Shea. “These are his optimum conditions and he must have a massive chance on Sunday.”

Al Wathba trainer Nacer Samiri saddles three, headed by Sha’Red and the mount of Harry Bentley.

Djet Taouy, trained by Ebrahim Al Hadhrami will represent The Royal Cavalry of Oman.