PRINCE VALIANT DEFENDING PERFECT MEYDAN RECORD

Stretching his unbeaten record at Meydan to three, Valiant Prince edged out Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet in a Godolphin 1-2-3 in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya on Friday. Stepping up to 1800m for the first time, Valiant Prince raced freely behind the leaders in fourth as the fourth Godolphin runner, Passion And Glory, set the early fractions ahead of Wirko and Dubai Future.

Dubai Future took second with 800m to race and cruised up to head Passion And Glory entering the final 400m, with Valiant Prince and Ottoman Fleet also moving ominously into contention. Passion And Glory soon faded, leaving Dubai Future, Valiant Prince and Ottoman Fleet to fight out the finish. Dubai Future continued to battle in front but could not resist the late thrust of Valiant Prince, who stayed on well for James Doyle to score by almost a length.

Ottoman Fleet finished half a length back in third as the front three pulled four and a quarter lengths clear of fourth home Zagrey.

'QUITE SURPRISED'

James Doyle said: “That was a big step forward from Valiant Prince on what he has achieved in the past and I think he did a good job. Whilst we were drawn well and had a cheap run around early, it was a little hairy on the bend, which meant the two in front pulled away from us a bit. “That suited him in a way, as he does not want to see loads of daylight, and the way he picked up was quite a surprise to me. I was eager to get going but, once he found a bit of space, he felt like he was always going to win comfortably.

IMPROVED AGAIN

“It will be interesting to see what Charlie wants to do with him. He has the option of going up in trip and the way he relaxed tonight after some time off was pretty good.” Winning trainer Charlie Appleby added: “We were very pleased with Valiant Prince, who seems to have improved again with the step up to 9f.

We will probably head straight towards the Group 1 Jebel Hatta with him now. “Ottoman Fleet ran a creditable race in third and I feel that stepping back up to 2000m for the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes is going to suit.” A homebred 5yo gelded son of Dubawi, Valiant Prince won a pair of 1600m Meydan turf handicaps last season, the first at a domestic fixture, the second at the carnival.