Victory Moon has been handed the opportunity to atone for his narrow defeat in round one of the HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge when he lines up to contest today's second leg of the prestigious three-race series. But to do so, he will have to overcome a high-quality field of International and locally-trained contenders led by Godolphin's Inamorato who defeated him by six lengths over today's course and distance in the Al Bastakiya last March.

Though Victory Moon went on to gain revenge in the Group 2 UAE Derby run three weeks later Godolphin's charge was tipped to progress and is reportedly a much improved horse this year. 

Today's 11th running of the race, run over 1800 metres on dirt, also features first leg winner State Shinto, runner-up Tropical Star and a first-ever entry from Turkey – the Ayhan Kasar-trained Dinyepar who has won his last three starts in Istanbul, including his most recently outing over 2400 metres which he won by four lengths.

European flat-racing powerhouse England are represented by the Ed Dunlop-trained Anani, a half length winner of the Group 2 Frankfurt Trophy over 2100 metres in his most recent start, and Clive Brittain's Dutch Gold, who won the Group 3 Chester Vase before travelling to Epsom for the English Derby where he finished sixth behind winner Kris Kin. The nine-runner field is completed by St Expedite, trained in by Dubai by Kuwaiti breeder-owner Rashid Bouresly runs St Expedite, and Ismaeel Mohammed's Blatant.

St Expedite was fourth to Ireland's D'Anjou in the Group 3 Al Fahidi Fort last Saturday Ismaeel, who also trains and rides endurance horses, perseveres with Blatant, eighth of 11 in the first round on January 29. However, history favours another Godolphin success. The Maktoum-owned stable has been a dominant force in the race winning it on seven occasions, with Cezanne (1994), Halling (1995), Larrocha (1996), Altibr (1999), Best Of The Bests (2001 and 2002) and Moon Ballad (2003). Furthermore Godolphin stable jockey Dettori, who will partner Inamorato, is the winningest rider in the series with nine wins.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was typically guarded when asked to comment on the chances of Godolphin winning the race for the eighth time. "Inamorato has been working really well. This is his first race of the year and he faces some tough opposition," he said. "He was a bit disappointing in America last year but he is older and stronger now and has a good chance of running a big race. 

"Victory Moon is a very good horse, so for sure it will be very interesting."

Victory Moon's trainer Mike de Kock says his horse will have come on since his last outing and should give a better account of himself today. The meet's three International Rated Stakes race have attracted good, strong fields though it looks like locally-trained horses could hold sway over the visitors. Bouresly's Bold Demand can follow up on his recent success in the Al Rostamani Stakes over 1600m on dirt, which will also see Classical Act, a St. Leger winner in India, and Gerard Butler's Self Evident line-up.

Zurbaran, India's Horse of the Year, contests the Al Rostamani Plate over 2000m on dirt along with 11 rivals including runners from the UK and Macau.