It may not be a Carnival meeting, but today’s Meydan card is interesting nonetheless and opens with what would appear one of the strongest maidens ever contested on the UAE’s landmark racecourse.

With the maximum field of 14 in the 1,400m Tapeta contest, a low draw could be crucial and Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, fresh from Thursday’s big race win with Certify, has two in the race, both well drawn four-year olds.

Stable jockey Mickael Barzalona chooses to ride Bustopher, second on his only UK start in a maiden on turf at Newmarket. He is joined by stable companion Ennobled Friend, who showed promise in both his UK starts.

Appleby said: “They are two decent horses with very few miles on the clock. This is the ideal opportunity to get them out and both should run well.”

South African Mike De Kock saddles the three-year-old Moonfaarid. De Kock explained: “The Tapeta is fine, he works well on it. The draw in nine is OK, but the 1,400m trip is going to be his minimum.”

Paul Hanagan rides, Fawzi Nass owns and trains Asmar, also a three-year-old, who caught the eye when staying on for third on his only start, a month ago over 1,600m on the Meydan Tapeta.

The official feature is a 1,400m turf handicap for which 15 have been declared. The Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Chasing Halos should not be far away, while anything De Kock saddles at the moment has to be considered.

He has both Red Duke and Final Button in the race. The Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Mundahesh switches to turf having won a 1,400m Tapeta handicap two weeks ago.

Similarly, the Ahmad bin Harmash- trained Ducab is swapping surfaces in the other turf handicap, over 1,800m.