Back With Another Win

I'm Back gained a second straight victory on the dirt of Meydan, UAE, with an impressive display in the Emirates Global Aluminium Trophy Handicap over nine and a half furlongs on Thursday, January 29.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old horse, successful over the same distance in another handicap on January 8, broke smartly and disputed the early running on the inside under James Doyle before hitting the front after a furlong.

The son of Exceed And Excel was headed by Not A Given entering the back straight but regained the lead with six furlongs left and increased his advantage turning for home.

I'm Back readily opened up daylight over his rivals in the straight and was eased close home to win by two and three quarter lengths from Tiz Now Tiz Then in 1m 59.87s, with another Godolphin runner, Artigiano (Charlie Appleby/Adam Kirby), rallying to take third, a further half-length back.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "I'm Back is a different horse on dirt. He has run well in England in the past but has a better action on the dirt.

"He improved physically from his first run of the year and his last piece of work went well under Harry Bentley. He showed that he is an improving horse so we gave him a chance in this nice race.

"He showed plenty of speed and James Doyle took his chance from his inside draw to go forward in the race.

"I'm Back was coming up against some better horses tonight but he won well and we will keep him between nine furlongs and a mile and a quarter."

James Doyle added: "I'm Back surprised us with his win last time but, since he came back, everyone at home has been very happy with him.

"He went up 5lb for his win the other day but he has definitely improved a little more than that. We thought that he was in good form beforehand and it is nice to see him do it. He has got a great attitude."