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Further Meydan success for Art Du Val

Racenews

Lightly raced four-year-old Art Du Val gained a second victory at Meydan, UAE, when displaying an impressive turn of foot in a nine-furlong turf handicap on week six of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Thursday, 6 February.

Last year’s Meydan Trophy winner, dropping down a furlong after finishing fifth in the Listed Zabeel Turf on week three of this season’s Carnival, raced in sixth on the inside rail as Royal Marine (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon) set a steady gallop for the 11-strong field.

Art Du Val took closer order entering the straight and ran on strongly between horses to take the lead approaching the final furlong. The Charlie Appleby-trained runner was pushed out by William Buick to see off the late thrust of Red Cactus for a short-head verdict.

William Buick said: “Art Du Val ran very well here the first night. That was over 10 furlongs and coming back to nine furlongs tonight was always going to suit him.

“I was very happy with where I was throughout the race. It was just a question of getting the splits when I needed them, and I got the split at the top of the straight. The second horse came fast and late, but I think Art Du Val might have just got a little lonely out in front.

“He is a horse with a good turn of foot, as he showed there. I had to get him to quicken in a short space of time to get where I needed because they were coming on the outside and he reacted very well. He is a nice horse and hopefully he is going to get back on track now.

“I do not think he is as effective over 10 furlongs. Nine furlongs or even coming back to a mile will suit him.”