The first race of the day in the UAE is the Listed Meydan Classic and Light Blush for Charlie Appleby has a huge chance if improving for his last run.
This lightly raced three year old filly was raced three times last season on the flat winning on her debut at Newmarket in a Class 3 but since then was outclassed in much better events.
After not racing since August she blew the cobs web away over seven furlongs at Meydan and she should come on a huge amount with fitness for this outing.
Switching over to the dirt for the next contest and Moqarrar is a five year old heading in the right direction after landing a similar event at Meydan last time out.
His last four outings have come at the Dubai track with him mixing between the dirt and the turf but it does look like he has been better in trickier conditions.
Last time out he got off the mark for the first time at the track, seeing off 15 runners and if performing to the same standard should go close again.
The first big race of the afternoon is the Group 3 Al Sheba Trophy on the turf and David Simcock sends over his British raider with Jamie Spencer on baord.
Spanish Mission is a four year old that has placed six out of his seven outings during his career including wins in three of them.
His best performance was at Newmarket three starts ago when landing the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy and after scoring at Belmont Park when last seen in a similar event he enters calculations.
The Curlin Stakes is a decent Listed contest on the dirt over one mile two furlongs and the Bent Olsen trained Red Cactus looks a class above on form.
He has been in flying form over in Sweden landing a hat-trick during the summer over a slightly further trip and on his first run of the year at Meydan he looked sharp.
He finished a bright second when stepped down to nine furlongs at a big price and no going back up to a more comfortable distance and being much better for the run he should go well.
The penultimate event of the afternoon sees the superb American Graffiti go for Charlie Appleby and if running near his best he should take this race.
On his sole run at Meydan this year he won the Jebel Ali Port Handicap on the dirt but having previously been smart in England on the turf he is given another chance on Thursday.
He was third at Ascot in a decent handicap and he also won at Newmarket over one mile two furlongs which shows his ability at this trip.
The last runner of the day in the Middle East is Zainhom and this six year old has been in and around the frame lately but needs to make that count on Thursday.
Two starts ago he finished third at Abu Dhabi and back in January finished second in a very similar event at Meydan off the same mark which warrants him respect in this event.
