Dubai World Cup: Channon can score in $5m race

8.40 SHEEMA CLASSIC (group 1)

As always the two turf races are ultra competitive and, with large fields, luck in running is going to be a factor. Mick Channon's Youmzain was third in the $5 million Sheema Classic in 2007 and fifth last year and looks sure to go close again. He will be ridden by Richard Hills who said: “He has been working very well and we have to be hopeful he will be in the shake-up.

He deserves to win one of these big international prizes.'' The UK have a strong trio in the race with Luca Cumani's Purple Moon and Sir Michael Stoute's Spanish Moon also in the field. Doctor Dino and Quijano are two others who have gone close in the race before and the latter ran a very promising trial on Super Thursday when second in the Dubai City of Gold.

He chased home Mike De Kock's Front House on that occasion and she will be ridden by Kevn Shea who won the race last year on the trainer's Sun Classique. Shea expects a big run: “She is a nice filly and tough. Obviously it is going to be a hard race to win but she is as well as could be hoped and I am looking forward to it.''

De Kock has a strong hand with King of Rome, Macarthur and Russian Sage also in the line-up. The last named was runner-up in the Jebel Hatta last time over 1,777m, while King of Rome was third to Front House. He may be the other one to consider and De Kock said: “That was a very good run and he will have needed it. I expect him to run well and Macarthur is approaching his peak. The step up in trip should suit Russian Sage and we at least have four chances in a wide open contest.''

7.55 DUTY FREE (Group 1)

De Kock's Archipenko and Japan's Vodka were third and fourth respectively in last year's $5 million Dubai Duty Free and are expected to reverse the form with the winner, Jay Peg, trained by De Kock's South African compatriot Herman Brown. De Kock's charge delighted his handler when winning the Zabeel Mile on his return and the trainer also has Bankable in the field and he too has won his sole start of the campaign – on his first start for the trainer who said: “They both pleased us when winning and Archipenko in particular will have come on a lot for that run.

Bankable is a nice new recruit to the team and they can both go well with luck.'' Kevin Shea maintains his partnership with Archipenko and said: “We were unlucky last year but he went on to show just how good he is. He will go close.'' As you would expect though, dangers are aplenty and Brown disagrees with Jay Peg's detractors: “He needs plenty of racing as we saw last year; it is all about Saturday night and hopefully he has come right for the big one again.''

Vodka looked unlucky in the Jebel Hatta at Nad Al Sheba on her return, while Balius is an interesting contender for new trainer Abdullah Bin Huzaim for whom he won the same race on his local debut. Gladiatorus and Bankable have both won twice at the carnival from two starts and have to be respected, while Paco Boy is favourite internationally. With a Godolphin pair who are both Group 1 winners in Creachadoir and Lady Marian, it looks wide open.

5.40 GODOLPHIN MILE (group 2) 6.15 UAE Derby (group 2)

Godolphin will be expected to win the first two thoroughbred Group 2 races on the card with Gayego and Two Step Salsa a potent duo in the Godolphin Mile and Desert Party likely to be a very short-priced favourite in the UAE Derby where Naval Officer represents the main danger.

5.00 KAHAYLA CLASSIC (Group 1)

The Kahayla Classic, the World Cup for Purebred Arabians, does not look a vintage renewal and Rod Simpson's Fryvolous will be hard to beat to give the trainer a first big night winner with his first runner. Daragh O'Donohoe takes the ride and Simpson is excited: “It is amazing to be coming into this night with two runners – and one with a real chance. It is our first season at Al Asayl so to get a winner would be great. I can't wait!''

6.55 GOLDEN SHAHEEN (GROUP 1)

His other runner is Balthazaars Gift who has to prove his ability to handle the dirt in the six-furlong Golden Shaheen. America's Indian Blessing will be favourite in a race the Yanks have a great record in but do not rule out Godolphin's Diabolical, Doug Watson's Force Freeze or Jerry Barton's Big City Man.