Prince Bishop Challenges Late

Prince Bishop finished fast and got within a head of the winner Frankyfourfingers in the Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two Empowered By IPIC over an extended nine furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE on Thursday, February 5.

Both he and stable companion African Story, also an eight-year-old, were making their seasonal debuts and racing on dirt for the first time.

Prince Bishop, with William Buick on board, broke smartly and raced prominently on the inside but was soon pushed along and dropped back to last of 11 runners as Frankyfourfingers set the pace.

He started to improve on the final bend and especially when switched out wider in the straight, coming with long run which so nearly brought victory. The winner set a new course record of 1m 58.24s.

African Story, who had not raced since winning the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline in late March last year, was also well away under James Doyle before being settled in sixth on the inside.

He tried to challenge in the straight, moving up to fifth at one point but could not sustain his effort and came home in seventh, six lengths in arrears of his stable companion.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said afterwards: "African Story was disappointing. He did not like the kickback but this outing was his first start for a long time and we will try again with him in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge (Group One, 10 furlongs, dirt, Meydan) on March 7.

"I was happy with Prince Bishop's performance - he was only beaten a head on his first start on dirt. He will also go for the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge."