Strong Finish By Maftool To Gain UAE Derby Second

Maftool finished strongly to be runner-up in the Group Two UAE Derby Sponsored By The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group at Meydan, UAE on Saturday, March 28.

The three-year-old son of Hard Spun, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, was slightly slow into stride under Paul Hanagan and raced wide in second last of the 10 runners.

He made good late progress in the straight to come right through beaten horses and take second, eight lengths behind the eased-up winner Mubtaahij whose time was 1m 58.35s.

Sir Fever, trained by Charlie Appleby and partnered by William Buick, also ran in the US$2-million race over nine and a half furlongs on dirt.

He broke well and raced a bit keenly in a prominent position before being squeezed and hampered at the first bend.

Sir Fever recovered and raced up with the leaders on the outside before dropping back turning into the straight, finishing sixth.

Paul Hanagan said: " Maftool was a bit naughty in the gate.

"He didn't jump and that was the start of it.

"He was never travelling at any stage. He stays - I just wish he could have helped me more."