Benbatl gets campaign off to perfect start with easy Singspiel win

Benbatl kicked off his Dubai World Cup campaign with a comfortable win in the 1m1f Singspiel Stakes at Meydan on Thursday.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained 1-8 shot, winner of the 2018 Dubai Turf, was confidently ridden by Christophe Soumillon and was never headed, his chance made easier following the defection of stablemate Dream Castle. He becomes the first dual winner of the race, which was upgraded to Group 2 status this year.

Meydan results and replays

The feature race, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over a mile on dirt, produced a thrilling finish with last year’s winner North America being caught in the dying strides by stablemate Secret Ambition, who was then denied by the Pat Dobbs-ridden Kimbear, completing a double on the card for Doug Watson.

Watson said: “I'm delighted for the horse as much as anything because he always tries his best and it's nice to see him back to his best.

“He's shown his customary gutsy attitude and you have to give Pat a lot of credit because that was a great ride.”

Doug Watson: completed a doubleCredit: Francois Nel

The first leg of Watson's double came when Ekhtiyaar – a Meydan regular last year, including when runner-up to Blue Point in the Turf Sprint on World Cup night – comfortably conceded weight to his seven rivals in the 6f turf handicap.

The Satish Seemar-trained Commanding gained revenge on Al Modayar, who had beaten him on his 7f debut in November, with a battling victory in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial, while Godolphin’s Zakouski was the easy winner of the 1m turf handicap, opening carnival accounts for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

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