Consistency pays off for Debt as draw foils O'Brien bid

Sovereign Debt got his head in front when it counted to make it a dream trip to Qatar for the David Nicholls team in Friday's feature race at Doha.

As feared, a wide draw in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup proved too much for Aidan O'Brien's favourite Cougar Mountain, settled at the back of the field by Donnacha O'Brien and flying at the finish to be beaten half a length in a thrilling finish.

Nicholls' wife and assistant, Alex Greaves, said of the Lady O'Reilly-owned eight-year-old: "The horse deserved that. He's been so consistent and has been placed so many times, never beaten far, so it's really nice for him to win one. He's a star.