Roger Varian is prepared to forgive Aljamaaheer his narrow defeat in Saturday's Betfair Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
The Dubawi colt, a Listed winner at Newmarket earlier in the season and third in the Jersey at Royal Ascot, went off the 7-4 favourite for the Group Two event after looking very unlucky when narrowly beaten at the Glorious meeting.
Varian had been nervous about too much rain having fallen in Sussex but his charge was right in the shake-up and finished just a neck and a head behind Premio Loco and Thistle Bird.
"The ground went against him as he just cannot produce his turn of foot on soft ground," he said.
"His cause wasn't helped too by running a little fresh in the early stages and he has probably done well to finish so close."
There was better news later in the day at Windsor, with the progressive Cameron Highland making all the running to take the Listed totepool August Stakes by four and a half lengths.
Speaking to www.varianstable.com, the trainer said: "I thought the ground may have gone against him when we had all that rain but he is an improving horse who seems to be enjoying his racing.
"He's going to be a lovely four-year-old so he will probably only have one more run this season."
