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More Meydan success for Valiant Prince in G2 Singspiel Stakes thriller

Racenews

Valiant Prince maintained his perfect record at Meydan by the narrowest of margins as he emulated Benbatl and Dream Castle by completing the G2 Al Rashidiya-G2 Singspiel Stakes double on Friday, 3 February.

Shouldering a 4lb penalty for his Al Rashidiya success, Valiant Prince was covered up in sixth of the 10 runners by James Doyle.

The Dubawi five-year-old travelled strongly into the race after being switched out entering the final quarter-mile and tracked through Alfareeq as the duo look set to fight out the finish a furlong out.

Alfareeq found more in front but could not repel Valiant Prince, who closed all the way to the line. The duo passed the post together, with Valiant Prince prevailing by a short-head to record a fourth course success for Charlie Appleby.

Ottoman Fleet, who was third behind Valiant Prince in the Al Rashidiya, finished strongly to fill the same position again, a length and a quarter behind the front two.

Charlie Appleby said: “It was a pleasing effort from Valiant Prince, who had a penalty for winning the Al Rashidiya. He has taken another step forward tonight as he had to work hard and was very brave. He has confirmed his ticket for the G1 Jebel Hatta and we can look forward to Super Saturday.”

James Doyle added: “I thought I had got there, to be fair. I was coming to win nicely but Alfareeq is pretty tough and rallied back. Valiant Prince loves it here and is growing up all the time. His performance both in the race and in the preliminaries was absolutely faultless today and it was another step in the right direction.

“We got a lovely draft into the race and he showed real guts to fend off Alfareeq again because we headed him and he came back. I thought he showed all the attributes of a horse going in the right direction.”