Friday marks the second week of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan in Dubai, and three group races are slated to go ahead, as well as two G2 UAE Derby preps on the seven-race card.

Godolphin fields a typically strong hand in the 1800-metre G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Riviera Beachfront By Azizi on grass, which is an early pointer to the G1 Dubai Turf at the end of March.

Aiming for a sixth consecutive renewal, the royal blue silks will be carried by a quintet from trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor.

Appleby’s listed winner Art du Val (GB)(No Nay Never) has been rubbing shoulders near the top table in his last three starts. Fourth in the G2 Singspiel S. last January, he added a third in the Feb. 18 G2 Zabeel Mile and in his latest outing ran a solid fourth to the re-opposing Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday.

Stablemate and listed winner Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi{Ire}), will be making his first start since a gelding operation in the autumn, as will the four-for-five Royal Fleet (GB) (Dubawi{Ire}).

“Art Du Val proved a consistent horse in Dubai last year and we gave him the summer off with another season at the Carnival in mind,” said Appleby. “He goes into this race in good order and will be very competitive if he brings his A-game.”