Alfareeq causes Group 1 upset in Jebel Hatta as slow pace costs Lord Glitters

Meydan: Saturday

A slow pace and trouble in running meant it was not to be for popular veteran Lord Glitters as Alfareeq and Dane O'Neill powered up the rail to cause a 14-1 upset in the Emirates-backed Group 1 Jebel Hatta.

It was the jockey's third Group 1 success, having partnered Muhaarar to land the 2015 Commonwealth Cup and Bold Edge to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2000, and victory capped a night to remember for owners Shadwell after success earlier on the Super Saturday card with Hukum in the Dubai City of Gold.

Alfareeq, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, has proved tricky at the start but boasted smart form earlier in the carnival, having finished second to Real World in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile.

O'Neill said: "They've done a great job with him doing the stalls work and he's got plenty of ability. He quickens up well.

"It was probably a little bit stop-start for the favourite, they didn't go a true enough gallop to come from off the pace. I stalked it and got lovely splits. This horse has got a lovely turn of foot."

On riding a Group 1 winner at Meydan in the Shadwell silks, O'Neill added: "It's fantastic. Sheikha Hissa [Sheikh Hamdan's daughter] is here and it's great for her to be watching. This is home soil for the family and I hope it gives them a real kick."

Dane O'Neill: struck aboard AlfareeqCredit: Warren Little

The winner is now set for the Dubai Turf on World Cup night on March 26, when he will again meet Lord Glitters, who made up a lot of ground to finish sixth but was never getting to the leaders off a sedate early pace.

David O'Meara, trainer of Lord Glitters, said: "He's 100 per cent but they've gone a hack canter. When he gets a gallop to aim at he's very good but trying to pass horses who are quickening in front of you is tricky.

"We've been here before and he's come back and won again, so he'll be fine. If he runs into a place in the Turf, it will be great. I have no concerns about him."

Simon and Ed Crisford had to settle for second with Finest Sound in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, having also filled the runner-up spot with the same owner's Without A Fight behind Hukum earlier on the card.

Finest Sound's rider Andrea Atzeni said: "He ran a blinder. It's always heartbreaking when you finish second having come to win the race but it was a solid run. If you'd told me both horses would have finished second at the start of the night I'd have taken it but it doesn't feel that great at the moment."

Read this next . . .

Explosive performance puts Man Of Promise in pole position for Al Quoz Sprint

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.