Best Solution on top at Meydan

Best Solution will return to Pattern company following a decisive victory in the 12-furlong turf handicap at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 15 February. 

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt, a G3 winner over the same trip at Newbury, UK, last year, broke well and was held back to race in second early on before settling in third after a furlong and a half as stable companion Memorial Day (Gerald Mosse) led the five-strong field. 

Best Solution ran on strongly between horses for Pat Cosgrave entering the straight and took the up running with a furlong and a half remaining before going clear to score easily by five lengths from Golden Wood in 2m 31.40s on good ground, with a further four lengths back to Memorial Day in third. 

Best Solution was Saeed bin Suroor’s 11th Dubai World Cup Carnival success of 2018, more than any other trainer.

Pat Cosgrave commented: “I think Best Solution needed the run on his first start of the season last month and most of the stable’s horses have been improving from their first to second run. 

“We had a lovely trip round and I got a lovely tow into the straight. I was impressed with the way Best Solution quickened up and put the race to bed like a good horse.

“I was going to make the running, but Gerald Mosse’s horse was a little bit keen, so I thought that I would leave him alone and let him relax in front. It worked out ideally for me. 

“Best Solution gets this trip well, he relaxes nicely and is a straightforward ride. He has done nothing wrong and seems to be enjoying it.

“Going back up in grade will probably help because he is not the biggest and lumping round top-weight the whole time is a little bit of a disadvantage to him. 

“I think the plan will be to go for the Dubai City Of Gold on Super Saturday (G2, 1m 4f, 10 March, Meydan). If he wins there, he can hopefully go on to the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Night (G1, 1m 4f, 31 March, Meydan).”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Best Solution is doing well out here in Dubai and he enjoyed an easy win tonight. We will probably step him up to the Dubai City Of Gold (G2, Saturday, 10 March) over this same course and distance on Super Saturday.”