Al Suhail & Art du Val narrowly foiled in G1 Jebel Hatta

Al Suhail was headed near the line to come home third in the G1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline, with Art du Val finishing fourth in a blanket finish to the nine-furlong turf highlight at Meydan, UAE, on Super Saturday, 6 March.

Both Charlie Appleby-trained horses raced in mid-division of the 11 runners early on, with Art du Val (Mickael Barzalona) progressing to fourth on the outside of the field after the first half-mile.

Art du Val was switched out to deliver his challenge at the top of the straight and quickened well to dispute the running entering the final furlong.

Al Suhail (William Buick), who tracked his stablemate into the race, also showed good acceleration to press for the lead passing the furlong-pole and established a narrow advantage approaching the final half-furlong.

The Dubawi colt drifted right in the closing stages and was headed in the dying strides by Lord Glitters and Eqtiraan, going down by half a length and a short-head.

Art du Val kept on in fourth, a further short-head in arrears.

Charlie Appleby said: “Al Suhail pulled up fine afterwards and is just an inexperienced horse at this level. He was fresh today and over-travelled a bit early on before coming into the race nicely in the straight. He ended up getting a bit tired in the last 100 yards.

“He is entitled to come forward for his first run in a while and hopefully it will put him spot on for the G1 Dubai Turf.

“Art du Val has produced another excellent effort and deserves to have one of these big races come his way. He has been a good, solid campaigner all season.”