Stable tour of Mike de Kock’s UAE barn – get in the know

– By far the most successful international trainer at the Carnival and closing in on 150 winners, South African Mike de Kock has a smaller team this year with a solitary three-year-old, who is likely to be his only runner on dirt, writes Racing Post.

His team are expected to "race to fitness" as the Carnival progresses but three of his first four runners performed well last week.

Dubai

Al Sahem 4c Silvano - Alderry Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

Hopefully he's going to be one of our flagbearers this year, both here at Meydan and afterwards in Hong Kong, so we won't be rushing him. He won the South African Derby for Sean Tarry and was one of the top three, perhaps even two, of his generation at home last year.

The Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai Turf on World Cup Night and then Hong Kong is the plan we've mapped out for him.

Bold Rex 4g Bold Silvano - Rexana M de Kock, N Malherbe, Haynes, Grant, J Linden

A solid handicapper who, with luck, could progress into a Super Saturday or even World Cup Night horse. He should certainly win at some stage anyway.

Icy Trail 5g Go Deputy - Icy Air Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

He won three on the spin for Brett Crawford in 2016, including the Grade 2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth, and on his most recent start was not beaten far by stable companion Whisky Baron just over a year ago. The time off appears to have done him the power of good and he's in great form. We'd be expecting a bold show from him during the Carnival and hopefully he can win a nice prize.

Janoobi 4c Silvano - Shasta Daisy Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Like Al Sahem, he was among the best of the South African three-year-olds last year, despite his last two starts being a bit flat. He won the Daisy Guineas over a mile (1600m) and that, or seven furlongs (1400m) , is his ideal trip. He's a strong, keen racer who likes to lead and we think he's an ideal, exciting Carnival horse.

Light The Lights 6g Western Winter - First Arrival Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

He made a pleasing return last week in the Singspiel Stakes in which he was victorious on his Carnival debut last year. He was then a close second in the Al Rashidiya and finished his campaign with a close sixth in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday. From the worst draw, we were delighted with his comeback and I'd imagine he'll be campaigned in similar fashion to last year. With luck, he'll win again in Dubai.

Liquid Mercury 6g Trippi - Skip Poker Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

He won for us at the Carnival in 2016 but had an interrupted campaign last year, missing Meydan completely, although we did get a run into him at Abu Dhabi in March. Fingers crossed, his problems are behind him and he should be out soon. Noah From Goa 5g Tiger Ridge - Limerick Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, McVeigh et al

Among the best of his generation but he was never able to show how good he is at the Carnival last year after suffering an injury and only running twice. Both his runs were good ones, as was his comeback last week under a big weight in a handicap, tiring close home. Hopefully he has a big-race win in him his year.

Pertinacious 3c Smart Strike - Runaway Rosie Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

He'll flying the flag for us this year in the three-year-old races. We like him and with a better break he would nearly have won his only race thus far, at Jebel Ali. He was last at the bottom of the hill before running on strongly and we expect him to build on that.

Sanshaawes 8g Ashaawes - Vicario Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum This is his fifth Carnival and he's seeking a fifth Meydan victory. He's eight now and needed his comeback last week. Hopefully he can earn a cheque in the coming weeks.

Smiling Blue Eyes 4f Dynasty - Sage Blue Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

We've done well in Dubai with fillies over the years and we hope she can continue that with the Cape Verdi and Balanchine the obvious targets before hopefully Super Saturday and/or World Cup Night. She's another who was trained by Sean Tarry for Sheikh Mohammed.

Suyoof 5g Magic Albert – Magic Harmony Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

He was a Carnival winner for us last year and ran very well on his return last week. He was staying on strongly over 1400m, the trip he won over last season, but we know he stays a mile (1600m). We expect him to win again and hopefully he can progress beyond