The return of João Moreira and the tribute to Lord Glitters mark Friday's meeting at Meydan

The Brazilian jockey will have several mounts, 2 of them from the South American tandem Antonio Cintra-Julio Olascoaga

Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra will have several entries this afternoon at Meydan / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).- This Friday's meeting at Meydan has all the ingredients to be unforgettable. The main event is the Lord Glitters Handicap, a race over 1800 meters on turf that pays tribute to the unforgettable G1-winning gray and features a field of 16 competitors (and several alternates), reflecting the extreme competitiveness of the carnival.

The great news for fans is the return of João Moreira. The Brazilian star returns to Meydan for the first time since 2024 and has already been confirmed for 3 high-impact mounts. One of the most anticipated is on Bullace (Toronado), the pupil of Mohammed Mardood coming off a notable campaign in France. "The outside draw is not ideal, but with the Magic Man in the stirrups, we are sure he will have every opportunity," stated his trainer, looking ahead to the Lord Glitters.

Moreira will also don the silks of Jouncy (Wootton Bassett), a former Andrew Balding trainee now under the care of the successful South American duo of Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga. "He adapted well to the Dubai winter, and this is a good starting point to measure his ceiling," commented Olascoaga.

In the fourth race, the Dubai Trophy (1200 m) promises sparks. British trainer Ed Walker seeks to maintain his perfect streak with Northern Champion (Wootton Bassett), who will be ridden by five-time UK champion Oisin Murphy. However, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin will not make it easy: they are sending Catullus (Invincible Spirit), who comes off finishing just a head behind the favorite and now drops down to 1200 meters seeking revenge.

Cintra and Olascoaga do not rest

In addition to Jouncy, the Rioplatense team will send Expert Choice (Expert Eye) to the track in the Azizi Venice Handicap (1600m). After some health issues at the start of the season, the horse returns to his preferred distance and will feature the mount of another elite Brazilian: local champion Silvestre de Sousa. "We trust he will run well, although the miler division this year is much stronger than the last," warned Olascoaga.

In the Lord Glitters Handicap, the European Dante’s Lad (Wootton Bassett) appears as one of the great threats after a local debut that left everyone impressed.

Regarding the Burj Azizi Handicap (1200m, dirt), Cats By Five (Audible), from Doug Watson's stable, will attempt to repeat his recent victory against a veteran of a thousand battles like Danyah (Invincible Spirit).

Finally, Oisin Murphy returns for 3 commitments, adding even more hierarchy to a program that already features Moreira, De Sousa, and Richie Mullen as present figures.