Dubai: William Buick has a strong book of rides as he makes his seasonal debut at this afternoon's Jebel Ali race meeting.

The former UK champion apprentice, stable jockey to Dhruba Selvaratnam's powerful Jebel Ali Stables team, fronts up on five top rides including one aboard last year's Jebel Ali Stakes winner Emmrooz, who is picked to win the Shadwell Farm-sponsored feature race.

Buick replaces James Doyle, who has been standing in for him with Selvaratnam, with three other exciting rides on Sarbola, Dahteer and My Verse, all leading chances in their respective races.

Selvaratnam was full of praise for Doyle, who has ridden 11 winners this season, but said he was also looking forward to continuing his successful association with the Norwegian-born Buick.

"James did everything that was required of him, but it was always going to be only a provisional riding agreement with William set to return anytime," the trainer said. "I can't be happier with his efforts, however.

"We're particularly looking forward to see how Emmrooz runs as he's coming off an injury that he picked up at the end of last season.

"Fortunately he's recovered well and has no fitness issues, but you never know, as this will be his first run in 11 months. He needs a mile and a quarter but I chose this race to get him started.

Main target

"Either way we expect him to improve for the race and build up towards the Jebel Ali Stakes, which will be his main target for the season."

Formerly trained by Godolphin, Emmrooz faces eight rivals including the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Aamaaq and Yirga, plus Musabah Al Muhairi's Atlantic Brave.

Al Raihe, whose Grandstand Stables team is in great form, said: "Aamaaq has a good record fresh so we are not worried about that and he is working nicely.

"He is one of our [Dubai World Cup] Carnival horses and has run well at Meydan as well as Jebel Ali and we are hoping he has a good season for us."

Richard Hills rides Aamaaq, while Royston Ffrench will partner Yirga.

Ffrench said: "He is in good form at home and goes well at Jebel Ali."

Two good runs

Atlantic Brave also appears to enjoy Jebel Ali having finished second in last season's Jebel Ali Mile. Jockey Wayne Smith said: "He has produced two good runs in defeat this season and that should have put him spot on for this. He is very capable on his day and I have to be hopeful."

Selvaratnam sends out Dahteer in the Emirates Airline Handicap with top-weighted He'sminenotyours appearing to have strong claims in the seven furlong contest.

While acknowledging the nine-year-old is coming on in age, Selvaratnam expects him to give a good account of himself after being narrowly touched off in the National Day Cup Prep in Abu Dhabi last month.

"He's not getting any younger but he takes his races well," said the handler. "He's in good shape and should have come on since his trip to Abu Dhabi."

My Verse looks to go one better for Selvaratnam after chasing Mujaazef home at the course last month while Selvaratnam admits Parvaaz will have to improve on his last start to trouble the Doug Watson-trained Kilt Rock in the Orient Irrigation Services Handicap.