Haggas thanks handicapper after Dal strikes for St Albans

In an unusual showdown of international racing forces Qatar and the UAE locked horns in the £75,000 1m4f handicap only for both to be defeated by the suddenly mighty St Albans.

Al Shaqab Racing's Shraaoh and Godolphin's Move Up both came close to landing the Qatar-sponsored contest, won last year by subsequent Hardwicke Stakes winner Dartmouth, but it was the St Albans Bloodstock-owned Dal Harraild who emerged on top by a short head and a head.

To slightly complicate matters, winning owner-breeder Andrew Stone has nothing whatsoever to do with the Hertfordshire town, which apparently provides 2,000 years of history only 20 minutes from central London, but he does have links to a progressive gelding who could now head to York's Ebor meeting.