Decree back for more

Formal Decree bids to step up on his winning debut at Nad Al Sheba when he lines up in the feature Group Three Al Rashidiya at the track tomorrow.

The highlight of the third meeting of the Dubai International is the Al Rashidiya, which is the first Group race to be run on turf this season and Ismail Mohammed saddles three of the 11 runners.

Formal Decree, winner of last year’s Cambridgeshire when with Alan Swinbank, scored on his first start for Mohammed and he will be joined by last year’s 2000 Guineas third Olympian Odyssey, who will be having his first start since leaving Barry Hills.

South Africa’s Mike De Kock has won two of the last three renewals of the race and his Oracle West is a live threat, as is Touch of Land, who is penalised 2kg for his Group Two course and distance win last year.

De Kock sends Diamond Quest for the 12-furlong grass handicap which also features Godolphin’s Hinterland and British runners Hartshead and Azarole, trained by Swinbank and Stan Moore respectively.

The Richard Fahey-trained Kings Point and Willie Haggas’ Hopeful Purchase also line up along with Pat Eddery’s Eden Rock, who will be ridden by Mick Kinane.

The mile handicap sees the UAE debut of Mooner, a Group One winner in his native Argentina on dirt, while Robbie Osborne’s King Jock also takes his chance.

David Nicholls runs Strike Up The Band in the second of two six-furlong dirt handicaps while another ex-British runner, Prince Tamino, represents Mohammed in the first event.

Mohammed then saddles another fascinating UAE debutant in the shape of Sir Gerard, who contests the first of two mile-handicaps on turf.

He is joined by Kevin Ryan’s Uhoomagoo, Richard Fahey’s Bolodenka, Andrew Balding’s Pentecost, Declan Gillespie’s Kestrel Cross and Godolphin’s Desert Chief.

Godolphin’s Leitmotiv, Karl Burke’s Boo and Mark Johnston’s Luberon are among 16 in the 12-furlong grass handicap, while Moore’s Impeller and Saeed bin Suroor’s Descartes both contest a 10-furlong dirt handicap.