Taxes on display in Dubai

Nad Al Sheba stage the second meeting of the UAE season on Thursday evening with a six-race card, highlighted by a conditions race over a mile.

Only eight have been declared but they include Nomoretaxes, a winner at the Dubai Carnival last year for Mike De Kock. He makes his debut for Ali Rashid Al Raihe this time with Royston Ffrench in the saddle.

Doug Watson’s Thajja, well beaten in the Golden Shaheen on World Cup night on his most recent outing but a winner over a mile in the UK, Satish Seemar’s Blue on Blues and Dhruba Selvaratnam’s Tasdeed look the main dangers.

The latter won his sole juvenile start for Ed Vaughan and was then second to Dubawi in a Godolphin Trial. He is making his UAE and dirt debut having run twice without joy for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation.

Elsewhere, Selvaratnam’s Almaram looks to hold a big chance in the extended six-furlong handicap, while Erwan Charpy’s Singing Poet is a strong fancy to beat Grandera’s full-brother Ampelio in a 10-furlong handicap.

Charpy’s stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea returns from suspension and will be eager to make up for lost time having missed three winners last week.