Yirga favourite for Jebel Ali stakes

It's the first double-header of the season for Dubai Racing Channel cameras this week and we'll be at Jebel Ali and Meydan broadcasting two brilliant New Year cards.

Jebel Ali hosts a mammoth seven-race programme on Friday, including two Purebred Arabian races and the Jebel Ali Stakes Prep, while Meydan kick off their six race programme at 4.27pm on the dot.

Back to Jebel Ali and eight runners have been declared for the aforementioned Jebel Ali Stakes Prep with Yirga, under Royston Ffrench, looking the one to beat off the back of a fine second to Atlantic Brave on his seasonal debut last time. Bur Dubai also has two solid efforts to his name this term and could easily go a few places better with Pat Dobbs doing the steering for owner Malih Al Basti who subsequently sponsors the whole card on New Year's Eve at Meydan which is where we shall head now!

The Al Basti Equiworld Foran Cup is worth a generous Dh85,000 and sees the consistent Averrroes make his debut for Ernst Oertel in the 2,800m staying contest.

Formerly handled by Clive Cox in the UK, the son of Galileo bagged a big prize on Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup day at Ascot in August (when ridden by Mirco Demuro) and must have every chance of following up here under Cristian Demuro who is the younger brother of his Dubai World Cup-winning sibling. Of the others in the race,

Treble Jig shaped up very well when winning at Abu Dhabi last time and needs to go up a few pounds to gain a carnival berth, but is a horse on the upgrade.

On the subject of runners trained at Oasis 1 Stables, during my ever popular stable tour (did I tell you we had over 30 people come along on Tuesday?!) Musabah Al Muhairi was keen to nominate Youm Mutamiez as his most likely winner on the card. After fluffing the start on his UAE bow last time, Wayne Smith's mount has done plenty of schooling at the starting stalls and could get his career back on track this week.

Dine with a view

I had my parents visit for Christmas who went along to Meydan on December 23 and they could not help but be impressed with the hospitality and offerings in the Tiered Restaurant which overlooks the parade ring and race track.

Not a massive racing fan, my mother had a fabulous time and had just about decided what she wanted from the five star a la carte menu by the time the last race had been run!

I popped up after racing had finished to check they were OK and I can guarantee there really is no better place to watch the racing if you want stunning views of the track while enjoying spectacular food and drink. With the carnival starting next week, Frankie Dettori will have his first rides of the season, and, with the best view overlooking the winner's enclosure, there really is no better place to see one of his famous flying dismounts!