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16:45 Meydan (UAE)

Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Presented By Longines Dolce Vita Collection Group 2 Stakes

  • 13 Runners
  • Distance: 1m
  • Going: Fast
  • Surface: Turf
  • AED 249,998 added
  • Winner: AED 150,001
  • 2nd: AED 49,999
  • 3rd: AED 25,002
  • 4th: AED 12,498
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 1m 37.12s
  • Off Time: 16:46:10
  • 13 Ran
1(1)
Silk - Maroon, White star and sleeves, Maroon cap, White star

Faulkner

35 BF
16/1
  • Form 11/14-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-0

2(2)
Silk - Yellow, maroon epaulets, maroon star on yellow cap

Surfer (USA)

285 D
9/2
  • Form 301/140-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 78

3(3)
Silk - Light blue, blue seams, light blue sleeves, black cap
40/1
  • Form 5733/97-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-0

4(4)
Silk - Brown, black sleeves, black cap
25/1
  • Form 217165-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 103

5(5)
Silk - Yellow, Black epaulets, black seams
25/1
  • Form 2/2115-
  • Age 4
  • Weight 9-0

6(6)
Silk - maroon, white stripe, white sleeves, maroon cap, white hoops
20/1
  • Form 7/42282-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 93

7(7)
Silk - Maroon, white stripe, white sleeves, black cap
  • Form 74/0121-
  • Age 5
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 84

8(8)
Silk - Maroon, white double-sash, white sleeves, white cap

Layl (USA)

21 v BFD
10/1
  • Form 121373-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 87

9(9)
Silk - Light blue, blue seams, light blue sleeves, light blue cap
  • Form 45/2145-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-0

10(10)
Silk - Light blue, large yellow spots, yellow sleeves, light blue spots, large blue cap
  • Form 306/348-
  • Age 8
  • Weight 9-0

11(11)
Silk - Maroon, white star, White sleeves, Yellow cap
  • Form 313461-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 9-0

12(12)
Silk - Maroon, white star, white sleeves, orange cap
  • Form 29/3633-
  • Age 8
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 102

13(13)
Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulettes, Royal Blue sleeves, striped cap
20/1
  • Form 254444-
  • Age 9
  • Weight 9-0
  • Official Rating 87

In depth

Verdict

Le Bernardin won a Grade 3 in the USA before arriving here where he's done really well, landing a Listed contest in impressive style over the track and trip from Gold City last month. He's closely matched with Frankyfourfingers on their run in Round 2 of this in February when SURFER, who had won this race previously, was a close fourth. Any one of those three could win this but the latter goes well fresh so could come out on top and complete a double in the event. US import Top Clearance was last seen running behind the brilliant American Pharoah at Monmouth Park in August while another ex-US performer Prayer For Relief will be better for a summer with Mike De Kock. Free Wheeling ran the race of his life when a close third in the Godolphin Mile with several of these behind but could have done with a better draw.

Formwatch

Faulkner 10-11fav (9-5) 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind One Man Band (9-2) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Dec.

Surfer (USA) 14-1 (9-0) 12th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.

Long River (USA) 66-1 (9-0) 7th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 pol in Mar.

Pearl Nation (USA) 7-1 (9-7) In touch, effort well over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Westwood Hoe (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.

Top Clearance (USA) 55-1 (8-6) Off rail, no rally, 5th of 8, 13l behind American Pharoah (8-10) at Monmouth Park 1m 1f stks fst in Aug.

Gold City (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Le Bernardin (9-0) at Meydan 1m lst stks (1) fst in Dec.

Special Fighter (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks (1) fst in Dec beating Farrier (9-3) by 5 3/4l, 7 ran.

Layl (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Le Bernardin (9-0) at Meydan 1m lst stks (1) fst in Dec.

Frankyfourfingers (FR) 8-1 (9-0) 5th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.

Prayer For Relief (USA) 16-1 (9-0) 8th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.

Le Bernardin (USA) 10-3 (9-0) won at Meydan 1m lst stks (1) fst in Dec beating Gold City (9-0) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.

Free Wheeling (AUS) 50-1 (9-0) 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.

Haatheq (USA) 4-1 (9-0) 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Special Fighter (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks (1) fst in Dec.