It is a big weekend of racing with this evening’s (Thursday) Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort the Meydan highlight, closely followed by Friday’s Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile. 

– Mike De Kock hopes Journeyman will impress again

Now over 1,400m, having been a 1,600m turf feature until last year, the Al Fahidi Fort has been dominated by South Africa in recent years, in particular Mike De Kock who is seeking a fourth consecutive win in the race and seventh in total.

De Kock’s Anaerobio is back to defend his crown and is the mount of stable jockey Christophe Soumillon with Wayne Smith riding stable companion Zahee.

Formerly trained by Joey Ramsden, Red Ray is having his first start for De Kock with regular jockey Anton Marcus flying in to maintain the partnership.

De Kock said: “I would not rule out any of the trio. Anaerobio never runs a bad race and always gives his all. He won this last year and should make a bold bid to win it again.

“Zahee just did not like the dirt on his seasonal return and switching back to turf is certainly in his favour. He has been working well.

“Red Ray is having his first start for us but he has great form at home and 1,400m really suits him. He too has been pleasing us in his work.

“Hopefully, all three will be very competitive in a strong race.”

Godolphin’s Safety Check is already a course and distance winner this season, in handicap company and takes a big step up in class here.

William Buick rides for trainer Charlie Appleby, who said: “We have to try him up in grade after his last win as the handicapper upped his rating to 110, which means there are few handicap options suitable for him. We basically need to find out if he is up to this class.”

Musabah Al Muhairi saddles both Shaishee, the mount of Paul Hanagan, and Modern History, to be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa. Both need to show improvement to test the principles, as do the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained pair of 
Encipher and Ertijaal. 

Ireland’s Eastern Rules was a course and distance winner last year for Mick Halford and stable jockey Shane Foley, but will need a career best to win this. 

The action then moves to Jebel Ali on Friday with nine declared for their biggest race of the campaign, the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile. 

Forjatt, trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed, won the race last year and is back again.

Second on his seasonal reappearance, over an inadequate 1,200m, he should go close to retaining his title. Stable jockey Oisin Murphy will be in the saddle.

The Al Raihe-trained Mufarrh is making his seasonal reappearance and dirt debut. He has been off since early March 2014 but will be a big danger.

Of the rest, Shamaal Nibras won well on the course over 1,400m on his most recent start, six weeks ago. The mount of Pat Dobbs, he has been rested since by trainer Doug Watson, who employed a similar strategy with Jutland – winner of this year’s Jebel Ali Stakes.

Watson said: “After he won here last time we decided to keep him fresh for this. He ran really well first time but did not perform on his second start, which we decided was just too soon after his first.

“He does not seem to take quick runs in succession, thus the six weeks off. He seems in great form, we have a good draw and are looking forward to running him.”

Silver Galaxy, third in the Jebel Ali Stakes, should also go well for Al Muhairi and stable jockey De Sousa.