Watson has strong hand in feature race

It has attracted a field of nine with champion trainer Doug Watson responsible for three runners of which Shopton Lane and Masaalek appeared to hold the strongest credentials.

Tadhg O'Shea was to ride Masaalek but sadly he missed the race and O'Shea will ride Ali Rashid Al Raihe's Aamaaq in the same colours.

Daragh O'Donohoe partners Shopton Lane, in the colours of Malih Al Basti and he looks the type to improve on his 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival form. Watson and Al Basti have several chances throughout the afternoon.

Dhruba Selvaratnam saddled a double last week and his Otaared could materialise as the main danger to the Watson duo. Lightly-raced, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's four-year-old, has also had a summer in the UAE to acclimatise and his pedigree suggests he will act on the Jebel Ali dirt.

Emirates airline returns to Jebel Ali as a sponsor and support the concluding 1,950m conditions race.

Watson again is well represented with Shaikh Hamdan's Rohaani, joined by Weald and Dynamic Saint, both owned by Al Basti.

Preference is for Dynamic Saint, the mount of O'Donohoe. Satish Seemar's Book of Music and Selvaratnam's Envisage may be best of the rest.

Al Basti's Bur Dubai will take a lot of beating in the opening 1,400m maiden as his trainer Watson and jockey O'Shea bid to maintain their record of winning the first race of the meeting — a feat they have achieved at both the first meetings.

Rashad Bouresly Rawalbandie may have Rod Simpson's Shahin Shah to beat in the 1,400m handicap, while Bouresly's Summer Games has to go close in the 1,800m handicap.

Best of the handicaps

The best of the handicaps is over 1000m and Watson and Al Basti combine with Alsadeek who will be a popular choice after a facile win a fortnight ago. Richard Mullen rides with O'Shea retained to partner Shaikh Hamdan's Tawaassol who adds a touch of class to proceedings.

Selvaratnam's Borehan is another to consider in a tricky race for Pick Six players. With Dh65,000 to be won between the Pick Six and tricast competitions, as well as the normal free raffles, a large crowd is guaranteed so get there early.

A panel of experts will analyse the Pick Six possibilities at 1.50pm with the first race at 2.30pm.

Sharjah's second card of the season on Saturday is a seven race affair, starting at 2pm, with two Thoroughbred races looking the pick of the action. Fourteen have been declared for the 1,200m handicap with Champion Trainer Doug Watson's International Man heading the weights. He ran well at Jebel Ali recently and has to have a big chance, as does stable companion Sand Cat who looks likely to appreciate this drop in trip after a 1,400m effort at Jebel Ali last week.

Rashad Bouresly's Rawalbandie and Ali Rashid Al Raihe's Impenetrable are two others to consider.