Main Sequence and Flintshire renew rivalry in headlining the nine-strong field for the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday.
The pair filled first and second respectively in the Breeders' Cup Turf last season, with the Graham Motion-trained Main Sequence repelling Andre Fabre's charge by half a length.
Main Sequence, who finished second to Camelot in the 2012 Derby when trained by David Lanigan, has been a revelation since moving to America, winning each of his five starts, including his prep race in a Grade Two at Gulfstream Park last month.
"Everything has gone well. He's a little bit of a nervous type of horse, so you're just trying to get him adjusted and settled in. We're trying to cover all bases," Motion told At The Races.
"David (Lanigan) knew he was a very good horse and it was just a matter of getting that potential out of him. David was the one who suggested bringing him to the States and it's really turned him around, which was the whole idea.
"We gave him an easy month after the Breeders' Cup and this just fitted well into his schedule."
Japanese runner Harp Star and Hong Kong performer Designs On Rome both represent new challenges and Motion added: "The Asian horses are unknown to me, so I think they are the biggest worry."
Flintshire chased home the likes of Cirrus Des Aigles in the Coronation Cup and Treve in the Arc last term, and finally enjoyed his day in the sun when winning the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December.
Fabre opted to give the five-year-old a trial run at Chantilly at the beginning of March and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, thinks the son of Dansili has made plenty of progress since that short-neck defeat at the hands of the reopposing Dolniya.
He said: "I hadn't seen him since he ran in Chantilly and he certainly has trimmed down a bit more and seems very relaxed.
"He has travelled really well out here and everything has been very straightforward with him, which has been one of the prerequisites of having a successful campaign anywhere. We have to say we are very pleased.
"The idea was after his run in Hong Kong to give him a break over Christmas and then obviously we had to start back with him in the new year.
"Coming into his race at Chantilly, he was certainly a bit short of work, I don't know exactly, but just looking at him he seemed above his normal racing weight I would say.
"But with the weather, we deliberated whether we would come straight to Dubai to race or whether we would just give him a piece of work. As it turned out this race over 1900 metres (nine and a half furlongs), which was obviously shorter than 2400 metres (12 furlongs) that he likes best, came at about the right time.
"It was important for him to do some really strong work. They went a relatively steady pace and then quickened up. And actually he looked a bit rusty and once he got onto his right leg, he finished really well and you would have to say you would be pretty happy with that."
The Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Dolniya turned around Arc form with Flintshire when beating him at Chantilly and her handler believes she has made great strides over the winter.
He said: "Dolniya is very well. She has travelled well and pleased me this morning. She has improved since last year. I mean she has always been a strong filly, but she has improved mentally. She is more grown up now."
There have been five British-trained winners of the turf heat in previous years but the challenge is limited to the David Simcock-trained Sheikhzayedroad and Charlie Hills' Just The Judge this time, with both available at double-figure prices.
Three horses have claimed the prize in the famous blue Godolphin silks but the Saeed bin Suroor-trained True Story is a rank outsider for this event.
Ryan Moore will be aboard Harp Star for the first time and connections have high hopes with a new rider on board.
Trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda said: "I am happy with her good condition. She is on a real hot streak. I have a big hope for jockey Ryan who is going to give her (the best) ride."
