Charlie Appleby thinks he has a 'big player' in Saturday's Dubai Gold Cup

Charlie Appleby is well placed to follow up Cross Counter's win in the Dubai Gold Cup (12.50) on Saturday with Secret Advisor, describing the seven-year-old as a "big player" against his ten rivals.

Four of the 11 runners for the Group 2 represent British trainers, and it is a race raiders have done well in, with Alain De Royer-Dupre, Tom Dascombe and Michael Halford all claiming victories in recent years.

Secret Advisor is the 7-4 favourite after finishing third in a valuable handicap in Saudi Arabia last time. He was giving 4lb away when finishing third to the reopposing Gifts Of Gold in Riyadh, and split Spanish Mission and Red Verdon, who are also back for more.

Dubai Gold Cup card

Appleby said: "Secret Advisor has come out of his run in Saudi Arabia in good shape. He's since been going well at home and should be a big player in the Dubai Gold Cup."

Remarkably, eight-year-old globetrotter Red Verdon, the oldest horse in the field, will be having his first start in Dubai in Saturday’s contest.

Trainer Ed Dunlop said: "Red Verdon knows his way around the world at this stage but we were pleased with him in Saudi Arabia where he ran a fine race.

"The UAE is actually one of the few countries he has never raced in even though he has a fairly full passport so we are very much looking forward to Saturday."

He added: "Hollie Doyle, who rode Red Verdon in Saudi Arabia, isn't here this weekend so we've gone with David Egan who is obviously riding very well at the moment.

Joe Fanning and Subjectivist after winning the Prix Royal-Oak at LongchampCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

One trainer who will be on track on Saturday is Mark Johnston, who saddles last year's Prix Royal-Oak winner Subjectivist.

A bold front-running performance landed the son of Teofilo Group 1 honours at Longchamp following a decent seventh in the St Leger, and Britain's winningmost trainer is hoping there is more to come from his sole representative at Meydan.

Johnston said: "Jane [Smits] his rider said he had actually been a little keen the last couple of mornings but he settled well on Thursday and just did two 1200m canters on the training track. He will have a canter around the grass on the main track tomorrow morning just to let Joe Fanning have a sit on him."

One blow for the overseas team is that Regal Reality, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is out of the $5 million Dubai Turf with a temperature.

The six-year-old, who had been training well in the run up to the 1m1f contest, had not long been sold to his new owner Peter Done.

If you want more on Saturday's racing . . .

One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Saturday

Major match-ups to set the pulse racing on Meydan's glittering $26m card

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2021 Unibet Lincoln on Saturday

'He's unbeaten on his seasonal return' – our experts on Saturday's Lincoln

Outside draw dents the chances of Mishriff in Saturday's Dubai Sheema Classic

Place bets with seven bookmakers without leaving the free Racing Post app. Same prices, same offers, live video. Every race, every day. Search 'Racing Post App' to download for free