THE ODDS-ON American champion Curlin might be the headline act in the feature World Cup race at Nad Al Sheba, but Irish hopes of a first success on Dubai World Cup night will rest with a trio led by the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Finsceal Beo.

Jim Bolger's star filly will be joined by Charles O'Brien's veteran Lord Admiral in the $5 million Duty Free over nine furlongs, the fourth of six races on a $21-million card that will be shown live on TG4 this afternoon.

John Oxx's Mourilyan takes his chance in the $5 million Sheema Classic over a mile and a half.

Just three Irish trained runners - Alexander Goldrun, Alayan and Powerscourt - have taken part in the 12-year history of this fixture, but Bolger is confident Finsceal Beo can bounce back from the second half of last year when the filly's form tapered off.

"Her home work would be on a par with last spring and she has travelled well," said Bolger.

"But we'll only know after the race how good she is," added the Co Carlow trainer.

A strong pace is almost guaranteed in the Duty Free, which will suit the longshot Lord Admiral, who has already won at the track.

But it could be that the ex-Bolger-trained Creachadoir, Frankie Dettori's discard from the Godolphin pair, will find this distance perfect.

Michael Kinane rides Mourilyan, another course winner, in the Sheema Classic, but he will be all too aware of the Hong Kong champion Viva Pataca, on whom he was an unlucky second to Ramonti at Sha Tin last December.

The Australian rider Darren Beadman takes over on Viva Pataca, whose old rival Vengeance Of Rain took this race in 2007.

Beadman said: "This horse has an almighty turn of foot when you let him go. If I can stalk them in a good spot he will take some beating."

America's horse of the year, Curlin, winner of the Preakness and the Breeders' Cup Classic last season, has something of a penalty kick on ratings in the $6 million World Cup, but his compatriot, Massive Drama, may be a more attractive bet in the UAE Derby.

Mike De Kock's pair, Honour Devil and Royal Vintage, are both fancied to go well here, but the champion US jockey Garret Gomez will be on board Massive Drama, who was an impressive Grade Three winner last November.