With the card generously sponsored by his own Shadwell Estate, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum would have every chance of winning the Purebred Arabian Group One Maktoum Challenge which opens Thursday’s fifth meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival.

All eight races are on the Tapeta with the maximum 14 declared for the opener, over 2200m and the only non-Thoroughbred event on the eight race card. Sheikh Hamdan owns six of the runners and his retained jockey, Richard Hills, chooses to ride Santhal, runner-up in the opening round. Second jockey Tadhg O’Shea chooses Nirwan and Vire Volte may well prove the main danger after his excellent local debut at Abu Dhabi.

Thirteen have been declared for the Thoroughbred Al Maktoum Challenge Round II, which carries Group Three status and is to be run over a new trip of 1900m this year on the new surface. The Mike de Kock pair Mr Crazy Boy, the only 3yo in the race, and Mr Brock are drawn one and thirteen respectively and the trainer hopes both can go well in an open contest.

He said: “Mr Brock won well last time over course and distance and deserves this step up in class. He has a bit to find in a tough race, while Mr Crazy Boy will relish the step up in trip but it is a big ask on the ratings.”

Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin are well represented and Frankie Dettori rides Jalil who progressed through the ranks to contest the 2008 Dubai World Cup. Ahmed Ajtebi rides Allybar, on whom he has already won at the Carnival, with Ted Durcan on Calvados Blues.

Bin Suroor said: “All three should run well; Allybar is obviously race fit and came out of that win in very good form. Jalil will be better for the outing but is a horse we have always liked, while Calvados Blues is a new horse who has been training well.”

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combine with Perfect Stride, a Royal Ascot winner last year and the jockey is hopeful of a good show: “He is a nice horse and seems in excellent heart. It is a decent contest but I expect a big run.”

Local hope Jet Express has been a real star for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe and jockey Royston Ffrench who said: “He has won his lat four, all at Jebel Ali but seems to prefer the Tapeta to the old Nad Al Sheba dirt track. This is his toughest test this year but he seems to be in good form still and I am hopeful he will run well.”

Musabah Al Muhairi’s Snaafy also represents the locals and jockey Richard Hills sounds quietly expectant: “He did not stop improving last year on the dirt and has shown he can handle turf with a Carnival win already. If he is to be a Dubai World Cup contender again, he has to prove himself on the surface so this is his chance.”

Brian Meehan echoed those sentiments about 2008 Group One Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House who was an excellent second on his UAE debut. This will be his first Tapeta run and Meehan said: “We need to plan for [Dubai] World Cup night and decide his target so we need a run on the Tapeta.” Jamie Spencer rides as usual.

It is also the UAE 2000 Guineas and de Kock’s Musir and bin Suroor’s Frozen Power renew rivalry after their clash in the prep race, over 1400m, a fortnight ago. De Kock’s charge came out on top and is better off at the weights. Brown’s Storm Chispazo, Brazil’s Real Secret and Jerry Barton’s Della Barba are among potential dangers, while Doug Watson has always held Quartier Latin in the highest regard.