Rusty Presvis no match for impressive Musir

Report: UAE, Thursday

Al Rashidiya sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (Group 2) 1m1f, turf, 5yo+

MUSIR, winnerof round one of the Al Maktoum challenge earlier this month and a three-time winner at last year's Dubai World Cup Carnival, ran out an easy winner as the 4-7 favourite.

The Group 2 contest looked like a potential thriller beforehand but main rivals Presvis, appearing at his fourth carnival, and the ex-Freddy Head-trained Rajsaman proved bitter disappointments.

Musir, trained by Mike De Kock, looked as good as ever when defeating stablemate Master Of Hounds hereearlier this month and was in similar form as he quickened clear under Christophe Soumillon, having travelled kindly on the heels of Marcret for much of the 1m1f contest.

Last year's winner Presvis, who went onto land the Dubai Duty Free, failed to pick-up from his midfield position on his first run since May.

It was a similar story for Prix Daniel Wildenstein victor Rajsaman, who was settled in third by Roysten Ffrench but was left toiling when Soumillon unleashed Musir.

With the main protagonists failing to fire, it was left to the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained City Style (14-1) and 16-1 chance Marcret, representing trainer Marco Botti, to pick up the considerable prize-money on offer for second and third.

Winning jockey Soumillon: "We went very slowly early on and that has really suited us as this horse does quicken so well. I was always confident and this is my favourite horse.

"We hope he is a Dubai Duty Free horse and this has hopefully shown he is."

Of Presvis, Cumani said: "I do not think I have seen such a slow first half mile and that was always against us. We will be back on Super Thursday."

Also on Thursday . . .

BAHRAIN opened their carnival account when Krypton Factor made virtually all in the opening handicap under Kieren Fallon.

It was landmark victory for owner-trainer Fawzi Nass, who was saddling his first UAE winner at the 54^th attempt. He said: "I have been trying for a few years now and have had five seconds and five thirds before.

"We knew he was a good six furlong horse but he is only four and we did not want to take on older horses with him last year. He's tough and ran on Saturday over a mile and came out of that race really well.

"It is great to get one on the board for Bahrain!"