British interest is prominent on Friday’s Dubai Racing Carnival undercard, with Charlie Fellowes and Dylan Cunha both fielding notable contenders as Meydan hosts a competitive evening of handicaps and juvenile talent.

The headline British involvement comes in the seven-furlong Ford Handicap, where Fellowes returns to the Carnival for the first time since 2022 with Gorak, who makes his dirt debut.

Fellowes said: "It's lovely to be back. I've got no idea whether Gorak will handle the dirt, but he's electric out of the gates, has a very high cruising speed and just keeps on going.

"He's a very similar type to Etjilaab, who did very well at the Carnival for us a few years ago. If it doesn't work, and he doesn't enjoy it, we can go back to the turf."

Gorak faces locally trained opposition including Destructive, now with Bhupat Seemar, but for British followers, eyes will also be on the one-mile Ford Mach-E Handicap, where Cunha saddles the well-regarded Silver Sword, another UK campaigner trying dirt for the first time.

Cunha said: "He works well enough on it and his all-weather form at home is solid, so I can only hope he takes to it. It offers so many other opportunities if he does, but if not there's still a good turf programme for him. Ray Dawson, who knows him well, is back on. I have a sneaky feeling he will enjoy it, and he has lots of early pace which should suit."

Elsewhere on the card, local stables dominate the remaining action. The mile Ford Mach-E Handicap also features Jebel Ali winner and former Amy Murphy inmate Itsatenfromlen.

Current trainer Doug Watson said: "We've kind of waited for this race. I really like the horse. He reminds me a lot of Midnight Sands and he's hopefully progressive like that. I think he'll like the dirt; we worked him over there [at Meydan] last week."

The seven-furlong Lincoln Maiden has drawn 13 juveniles, among them trial winner Lino Padrino.

"We are looking forward to his first race under rules, he will learn a lot from the experience in which will bring him on," said Owner Paul Ebbs. "We feel that he will be a better three-year-old as he's still growing into his large frame."

Elsewhere on the card, Czech jockey Sabina Mokrosova makes her first professional appearance at Meydan aboard Lady Garfield.

She said: "She has run four times in the Czech Republic and performed well. She's now been in Dubai for two weeks preparing to run on the dirt, which I think she will like. For me, riding at Meydan Racecourse will be a great experience."

The six-furlong Ford Mustang Handicap brings back last-start winner Road Bloc, with owner Sayed Hashish confident of a bold bid.

"We were very happy when he won last time; he is regaining his confidence and Connor [Beasley, jockey] did a great job with him," he said. "He's drawn in eight, which will help him with the kickback, so I'm excited about this race."

Hashish also campaigns Silent Age in the ten-furlong Lincoln Navigator Handicap, adding: "Silent Age is a horse I had in the UK who had three wins there, including a Class 2… He wasn't 100 per cent ready last time but handled the race and the kickback well, so we're excited to see how he gets on."