Christophe Soumillon just managed to force Godolphin's Thunder Snow past Japan's Epicharis to win the UAE Derby and earn a possible trip to Kentucky.
13.25 UAE Derby Sponsored By The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (Group 2) result
1st Thunder Snow (11/4 fav)
2nd Epicharis 9/2
3rd Master Plan 7/1
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Thunder Snow got up in the shadow of the post to deny the Japanese raider Epicharis in the UAE Derby.
Winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas on his dirt debut, Thunder Snow appeared to have everything under control as he travelled up to the quarters of Epicharis.
However, just inside the final furlong Thunder Snow jinked to his right, catching Christophe Soumillon off balance and handing the initiativeback to his Far East rival.
To his immense credit Thunder Snow knuckled down again, regained top speed and narrowly prevailed in a photo to give Saeed bin Suroor an eighth win in the race.
Master Plan was third, with Aidan O'Brien's Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Lancaster Bomber in fourth.
The winner is now automatically qualified for the Kentucky Derby, should connections opt to take him out to the US.
Reaction
Saeed Bin Suroor: "It wasn't an easy race, but the horse is a champion. He was a Group One winner in France, won the Guineas here and to win the UAE Derby is great. The jockey gave him a brilliant ride.
"We'll talk to Sheikh Mohammed before making any plans."
