Horse racing Meydan review: Classy display from Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix easily accounted for Godolphin's True Story to make a most impressive reappearance in the Emirates Global Aluminium-sponsored Al Rashidiya at Meydan.

Trained by South African maestro Mike de Kock, Vercingetorix won the Group One Jebel Hatta at last year's Carnival and went on to fill the runner-up spot behind Japanese superstar Just A Way in the Dubai Duty Free (now Dubai Turf) on World Cup night.

Making his first appearance since finishing third in December's QEII Cup in Hong Kong, the six-year-old appeared to have plenty on his plate faced with a race-fit True Story, but it ended up being a one-sided clash.

Saeed bin Suroor's one-time Epsom Derby contender looked to have got his career back on track with a Listed victory at the track at the start of the month and the 11/10 favourite moved kindly for much of this Group Two contest.

However, 6/4 chance Vercingetorix loomed alongside in the straight under a motionless Christophe Soumillon before accelerating clear for a brilliant victory.

De Kock said: "You know you've got a horse. He's had a long lay-off and a couple of niggles in between. It's nice to see him back.

"If you looked at him in the parade ring beforehand he was a happy horse, which was nice to see, as he's not a horse that gives us a lot at home.

"It's nice to see him win like this and I think he's still got a lot to come, despite winning tonight. I think he'll improve a lot.

"His aim has got to be the Duty Free. I don't think it can be anything else. Hopefully we don't find another Japanese horse!

"Last year he ran the race of his life to get beaten by an unbelievable horse (Just A Way)."

Soumillon was also victorious in the other Group Two on the card as Alain de Royer-Dupre's French challenger Cladocera showed thrilling acceleration to clinch the Cape Verdi.

Making her first appearance since a narrow defeat in a Listed event at Kempton in November, the 9/4 favourite was ridden patiently by Soumillon before being produced to challenge in the straight.

The Belgian pushed the button a furlong out and Cladocera picked up under hand driving to seal an impressive victory.

Richard Hannon's Zurigha was best of the rest in second, with David Simcock's Victoria Regina, the Marco Botti-trained Energia Fribby, Wee Jean from Mick Channon's yard and Mick Halford's Irish hope Slipper Orchid back in the pack.

Soumillon told the Dubai Racing Channel: "It was a good run from my filly. She had a good position in the race and when I asked her to go she reacted really well.

"The track is very good, just a bit on the soft side compared with usual, so it is very good to see her compete like this.

"She will improve a lot on this run."

James Doyle teamed up with Godolphin's two principal trainers to complete a double on the evening.

The jockey first struck on Bin Suroor's 9/4 favourite I'm Back, who dominated from the front in the Emirates Global Aluminium Handicap Trophy.

Doyle said: "He half surprised us the last day, but since he came back all the guys at home have been very happy with him. He went up 5lb, but he definitely improved a tad more than that, so we're chuffed to bits."

Doyle was on the mark again as the Charlie Appleby-trained Ahtoug (5/1) edged out Dean Ivory's Lancelot Du Lac by a head in the Emirates Global Aluminium Excellence Handicap Trophy.

The Ian Williams-trained Sir Maximilian was not far away in third.

Appleby said: "We were pleased with that first run and were confident he would come on for it, which has been very noticeable at home.

"We brought him out here a little bit later this year compared to last season, so it took a little bit more time for him to come to hand.

"It was a pleasing effort and he'll go towards the Meydan Sprint on Super Saturday and then hopefully on to World Cup night."

There was a thrilling climax to the Emirates Global Aluminium Billet Trophy, with Doug Watson's 6/1 shot One Man Band just holding the late surge of Filfil.

Winning jockey Richard Hughes was riding for the first time since last year's high-profile meeting in Hong Kong and admitted to feeling a little rusty.

Hughes said: "It was hard work - it is when you haven't ridden horses for a month! It's nice to get back with a winner.

"He was very tough and took a wrong step probably 50 yards before the line. I think he'd have won a little bit snug only for that."

Watson struck gold for the second time on the night as the Paul Hanagan-ridden Muaanid (4/1) clung on in the Emirates Global Aluminium Casthouse Handicap Trophy.

Hanagan said: "He loved the dirt and his attitude was absolutely A1.

"The only worry for me was the trip - he's got a lot of speed - but he was able to use it form a bad draw and I was able to fill him up at the right time and save a bit."