Dubai Gold Cup report: Repeat win for Vazirabad

12.50 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors result

1st Vazirabad (9/4 favourite)

2nd Beautiful Romance (5/1)

3rd Sheikhzayedroad (8/1)

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Report

French ace Vazirabad (9/4 favourite) became the first horse to land back-to-back renewals of the Dubai Gold Cup under a brilliant ride from Christophe Soumillon.

Trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan, the five-year-old pipped Big Orange to victory in the hugely valuable two-mile Group Two last year and this time it was Godolphin's 5/1 chance Beautiful Romance who had to settle for second after the mare was collared in the closing stages.

Big Orange cut out much of the running under Frankie Dettori but Oisin Murphy was on his coat-tails on Beautiful Romance and she took it up with the pair well clear on turning into the straight.

From that point it was a matter of whether Beautiful Romance had enough in the tank to repel the closers and despite still being in front 100 metres from the line, she ran out of gas as Vazirabad, held up early on, came with a withering late run to get up in the shadow of the post.

The David Simcock-trained Sheikhzayedroad (8/1) finished right on their heels in third with Big Orange back in fourth. 

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Christophe Soumillon said:  “He didn’t jump so good because he was moving a bit badly in the gate. I gave him the time to get into the race and fortunately for us the pace was quite good.

"I knew we could make up some lengths, especially on this ground, it’s a bit difficult to finish today. When I came in the back straight the horse was much better than last time and he didn’t hang.

"On the last corner I just preferred to stay on the inside to drop some lengths there. And when I came into the straight I knew he was going to give me a good turn of foot but I was not really sure I could arrive to take the lead in the end.

"When he passed the two horses he started to shift in a bit but then when he felt the field in front of him he just kept running. It’s good to come on at the latest moment with him because he can be a bit green in front."

Click here to listen to Christophe Soumillon audio

Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "The ground is a little bit soft, which is good for him and Soumillon was very good.

"Every time he races he gets better and because of this I was confident of a good effort from him.

"He likes to come from the back and Christophe took his time and picked them off one by one.

"He's a good horse with a great jockey and I think his main target this year will be the new Group One at Goodwood (Goodwood Cup), but we will also think about the Gold Cup (Ascot) as long as the ground is not too quick for him there."

Oisin Murphy said of the runner-up: "The race wasn't run to plan as they went slowly early on, but I was very happy turning in as she was all set to go from the front but we were run down by the favourite.

"I think she's an improving filly and I was delighted to be able to keep the ride and it's great to be wearing the (Godolphin) colours."

Martin Harley said of Sheikhzayedroad: "I was a little bit unlucky, he travelled good, was nice and relaxed all the way and I thought there was plenty of room up the straight, but I was slightly hemmed in by Christophe's horse and without that I might have been second. But I would not have beaten the winner.

"He's a rock-solid horse and I hope we might end up at Ascot for the Gold Cup."

Michael Bell, trainer of fourth-home Big Orange, said: "It was a massive effort but they are taking the top off the ground and he does enjoy it when it’s faster. Hopefully this sets us up for a good season."

Jamie Spencer, rider of Quest For More (9th), said: "He didn’t particularly like the ground.  It’s good to soft and he’s a fast-ground horse." 

Joao Moreira, jockey of Heartbreak City (11th), said: "He didn’t really feel as surefooted as he usually does. So he ran much less than what he’s capable of."