Dubai: Having turned down an invitation to run him at next Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting, trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam is hoping that stable flag-bearer Forjatt can instead win the inaugural edition of the Dh250,000 Jebel Ali Silver Jubilee Stakes, the highlight of Friday’s season finale at Jebel Ali Racecourse.

Forjatt was given an invitation to the $1 million Godolphin Mile (Group 1), but Selvaratnam chose to aim him at a race which is being run to celebrate the 25th Anniversary at the historic track.

A dual winner of the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, including this year, Forjatt carries a penalty for his big race victory in January after which he was beaten to second place by Farrier in the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.

“Obviously he has a penalty which makes life more difficult as it did in the Jebel Ali Stakes last time,” said Selvaratnam. “The trip is very much his minimum now but he is in great form at home and this looks a good opportunity to get one more run into him this season.

“He does not seem to like the dirt surface at Meydan so we were not tempted by the Godolphin Mile.”

Forjatt faces a maximum 15 rivals including Shamaal Nibras, who finished runner-up in both the Jebel Ali Mile and Stakes.

Doug Watson’s Shamaal Nibrass, was also twice in front of Forjatt, on the Abu Dhabi turf, last year but significantly, his only dirt victory came over this 1400m course and distance.

“It looks a nice spare ride and I have enjoyed a lot of success with Doug and the owners (EERC) over the years,” said jockey Tadhg O’Shea. “Hopefully they go pretty quick as I am sure we will be staying on strongly.”

Watson is mob-handed with five of the 16 runners with stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, electing to ride Stunned, a course and distance winner in December.

Sam Hitchcott partners Mutasayyid, who makes his Jebel Ali debut but was the winner of 1600m contest on the turf track at Meydan.

“All five of mine seem in good form,” said Watson. “Obviously it is the last chance to get a run into them this sea-son and I would guess Stunned, Mutasayyid and Shamaal Nibras would be the main three.”

Mutasay-yid is one of four runners owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, whose Shadwell Farm sponsor the race.

Shaikh Hamdan’s first jockey, Jim Crowley, elects to ride Mushaakis, trained by Ali Rashid Al Rahie and a course and distance winner two weeks ago.

“He seems to save his very best for Jebel Ali and is twice a course and distance winner,” said Crowley. “It is a good race but he arrives in fine form so, hopefully, I have picked the right one.”

Also retained by Shaikh Hamdan is Dane O’Neill and he ride the Maria Ritchie-trained Shaishee, winner of the equivalent race on this card 12 months ago.

He also holds the 1400m Jebel Ali track record which has stood since Jan 2014 when he won a handicap.

Stable companion, Art Wave, the mount of Fernando Jara is another Jebel Ali specialist, while the Fawzi Nass-trained Krypton Factor was a 1200m winner on this card last year.

And if they were not enough, the Satish Seemar team are flying so his Ahlan Emarati, the mount of Rich-ard Mullen, has to be considered despite finishing well behind Mutasayyid last time.

The 1600m probably taxed his stamina on that occasion and this trip could suit but he was well beaten on his one previous dirt and Jebel Ali outing.

That was his seasonal debut though, in November, and he may have needed the run.