Brian Meehan has confirmed that Crowded House will join the star-studded line-up for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan later this month.

The son of Rainbow Quest will have a new partner for the world's richest race with John Velazquez taking over from Jamie Spencer for the mile and a quarter feature.

Brian said:"This is no reflection on Jamie and he will be riding Crowded House again when he returns to Europe. The World Cup is an American style race run on an American style track and connections feel that an American jockey would suit him better on this occasion."

Crowded House has finished second on his two outings so far at the Dubai Carnival.He chased home Alexandros on his first appearance, but improved on that performance when going down by a fast diminishing half length to Allybar on his latest attempt.

Brian added:"We did say that Crowded House would need both races and we were very pleased with him on each occasion.We have had World Cup day as the target all along and we have been very happy with him since his last run.He is working very well and we are very happy with him and we are very confident.”-->

Cat Junior produced a top class performance to land an all the way win in the valuable Group 3 Burj Nahaar for Brian Meehan at Meydan on Thursday.

The son of Storm Cat finished behind Skysurfers, the hot favourite for the mile contest, on his latest start, but showing the benefit of that outing, turned the form around in emphatic style under a brilliant ride from Richard Hills.

Hills wasted little time in getting to the front on the 25-1 shot and took the field at a good pace from Vesuve until rounding the home turn.Calming Influence, running the best of the Godolphin team, then gave chase, but Cat Junior produced plenty when Hills asked him to respond in the straight and they readily held on to beat the staying on Green Coast and Calming Influence by a length and a quarter and half a length.

The winner broke the course record in a time of 1min 35.95 seconds and his trainer is now looking for a further step up in class.

Brian said:"Cat Junior has been in very good form since his last outing and he has produced a very good performance today.He has beaten a good field and we are now hoping to get an invite to the Godolphin Mile at the World Cup meeting later this month."

Hills was delighted with the win adding:"I spoke to Brian this morning and he was keen for me to be positive.I tried to get a lead early on but he jumped so well.He was in a winning position rounding the home turn and he galloped all the way to the line." 

The Manton team were delighted to see that two of their former inmates, Changing Skies and Radiohead were both on the mark in America over the weekend.

Changing Skies, who still carries the colours of the Sangster Family's Swettenham Stud was on the mark for new trainer William Mott and jockey Kent Desormeaux when coming home three quarters of a length clear of Nehantic Kate in the Grade 3 Very One Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park.

Radiohead, the 2009 winner of the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes for Brian Meehan, struck for new owners IEAH Stables, on his first outing since finishing seventh in the Breeders Cup Juvenile in November.He came home over one mile by an impressive three and a half lengths over stablemate and grade 1 winner Homeboykris in an allowance race at the same course for new trainer Rick Dutrow and  jockey Edgar Prado.

Brian, who is currently in Florida looking for new blood at the Calder Sale said:"I was very pleased to see both Changing Skies and Radiohead win.They both handled their respective surfaces very well and I am sure they both have very good futures in the United States."

Crowded House will be in action for the second time at the Dubai Carnival when he tackles the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Thursday.

The son of Rainbow Quest delighted Brian Meehan with his first appearance at the meeting two weeks ago when, making his first appearance since finishing a creditable sixth in the Epsom Derby, he finished an eye-catching second to Alexandros.

That performance came on the turf but Brian now feels he should let the four year old race on the Tapeta all weather surface.Jamie Spencer, his usual partner, takes the ride.

Brian commented:"I am not certain Crowded House will like the tapeta and Jamie also has reservations about it but we feel we need to let him try it.

"We were very pleased with the way he ran behind Alexandros.I thought he would need the race and I think he will come on again for this.

"However, Patrick MacEwan, our assistant, who has been over here with all our horses for the Carnival, reports he is in very good form.I will arrive in Dubai on Wednesday morning and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Two other members of the team to perform with credit two weeks ago, will also be back in the fray on Friday.Gallagher runs in the Al Dana Handicap, whilst Cat Junior runs in the CBD Wolrldmaster Card Conditions event later in the afternoon.Both races are on the Tapeta.

Brian said:"Gallagher was making his first appearance since August when he finished third to Mutheeb and he will also come on for the run.I think he has a very good chance but I am a little concerned about his wide draw.

Brian Meehan is launching what he hopes will be a successful assault on the Dubai Festival with five runners at the impressive new racecourse at Meydan later this week.

Spearheading the team will be top class middle distance performer Crowded House, who will be making his first racecourse appearance since leading home the British challenge behind Sea The Stars in the 2009 Derby at Epsom.

The son of Rainbow Quest will be tackling a Group 3 event over nine furlongs on Thursday. He will be joined by stablemate Gallagher in the 95-110 seven furlong handicap and possibly 2009 Victoria Cup winner Swift Gift in a mile handicap on the all weather.

Swift Gift also has an entry in a seven furlong event on Friday, when the two remaining members of the quintet City Leader and Cat Junior will run in a ten furlong handicap on the all weather and a mile handicap on the turf.

Brian has been very happy with their preparation, but believes they may all need the run. He said:"All five horses have done very well in the two weeks they have been in Dubai. Our assistant Patrick McEwan has been supervising their training and we have a great team of lads backing him up.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing them run at what looks a very impressive new facility at Meydan. However, they were just held up a little bit when we had the very cold weather around Christmas and they may just need their first run."

Red Rocks has peaked at just the right time in his bid to land a second Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Saturday evening.

Brian Meehan has geared the six year old's season towards the Breeders Cup Festival and is looking to add this season's renewal of the Emirates Airline-sponsored  feature to his win at Churchill Downs three years ago.

Brian said:"Red Rocks has a great record on the turf in the States.Not only did he win at Churchill Downs, he was third in this race the following year and last season won the Man O'War Stakes at Belmont Park.

"We have brought him along steadily this season and we were delighted with his run at Ascot last time.He was 20 kilos heavy that day, but now he is at his best racing weight and seems in great shape.

"He has taken the trip over very well and we have been very happy with him since.It promises to be a great race."

Radiohead is reported in great form by Brian Meehan for his attempt to join the elite club of European two year olds and win the Grey Goose Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Saturday evening.

The son of Johannesburg earned his trip Stateside with a marvellous domestic season, which saw him win the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot before ending his season with an unlucky second in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last month.

His trainer has been delighted with the way he has taken the trip over to the West Coast and predicts a big run.

He said:"Radiohead travelled over very well and settled down nicely during the first two days, which is always very important on these long trips.

"We have schooled him around the paddock and at the gate to get him used to the surroundings and he has taken everything in his stride.He has also worked with plenty of enthusiasm on the track and we are very happy with his draw in stall 11.

"His British form is very good and the step up to the mile and half a furlong should pose no problems."

Pleasant Day bidS to land the most important success of his career in a fascinating totesport-sponsored Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The son of Noverre has improved steadily during the season, and earned a crack at this Group 3 feature with  two wins and a second from his last three outings, including a decisive two length win over Guest Book in a competitive nursery at Ascot on his latest start.

Brian said:"Pleasant Day has proved very consistent and showed a smart turn of foot to quicken clear of a good field at Ascot.The fifth home in that race was only beaten a length in what looked quite a good Listed event at Pontefract earlier this week, and he continues to work well.He deserves his chance in pattern company and it looks an open race."

Pleasant Day will be accompanied to his local course by well regarded Aultcharn, who is fancied to build on his debut effort at the last meeting in the opening Hildon Maiden, and promising newcomer Bonded in the second division of the same event.

Dancing David may face some stern looking opposition in his bid to follow up stablemate Crowded House's 2008 success in the Racing Post Trophy, but Brian Meehan is more than hopeful the improving son of Danehill dancer can hold his own in what looks a cracking renewal of the final Group 1 race of the domestic season.

A promising second on his first racecourse appearance at Salisbury, Dancing David confirmed he was a juvenile of great potential with an emphatic success in a maiden at Newbury last month.

There were a host of well regarded juveniles in that event, and time may show that, just like Arcano's maiden win in a similar event on the same course in mid-Summer, the race was of a very high quality.

Brian commented:"Dancing David has always looked the part at home and we were very confident he would take all the beating at Newbury after his promising debut effort.

"There were strong messages for a number of his rivals in the race, and he pulled nicely clear of them in the closing stages after making virtually all the running.The Racing Post has always been the race we have had in the back of our minds for him and his work since Newbury suggests he will run a very big race."

Aaim To Prosper is looking to make a flying start to his career with Brian Meehan when he tackles the daunting two and a quaretr miles of the totesport.com Cesarewitch.

The five year old developed into a very useful stayer with Mick Channon this season and will be looking to build on his two victories in good class handicaps so far this season.

Brian Meehan said:"Aaim To Prosper has some very solid form behind him and has a definite chance in what, as usual, will be a very tough race to win.We are happy with his high draw and the ground should be okay, though both his wins this season came on an easy surface."

Brian will be doubly represented in the Group 1 Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes with Manhattan Fox and Timely Jazz taking their chance.

Brian commented:"Manhattan Fox did not really get into the race at Newmarket last time, but he won his maiden really well and has been working well.

"Timely Jazz is also a horse we have always liked and has been thoroughly consistent, and not a little unlucky at times.He deserves his place in the line up."

City Leader will represent Manton in the other group 1 race on the card, the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes.