Viscount Nelson shows Fort-itude to win feature

Report: UAE, Thursday

Meydan

SOUTH AFRICANS Mike deKock and Kevin Shea improved their already formidable records in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort when combining to win the 1m turf feature with Viscount Nelson.

Short of room three furlongs out, Shea had to bide his time but once clear the pair ran on strongly to deny Alsaabil with the winner's stable companion Master Of Hounds snatching third close home from last year's winner Derbaas.

De Kock was delighted with both his runners and said: "Viscount Nelson has not been the easiest to train and has had a few issues so it is a great result for the whole team as we have had to try a few different things with him. He will be back here Super Saturday and I think we will aim him at the Dubai Duty Free as I do not think he get the Sheema Classic trip.

"Master Of Hounds may well stick to turf now but we will have to have a long think about what to do with both of them."

De Kock and Shea combined to win this race in 2003 with Ipi Tombe and in 2008 with Archipenko, and Shea was actually landing the prize for the fifth time in seven years.

The trainer then completed a quick double with Richard Hills in the saddle on Zanzamar who won theconcluding 1m2f turf handicap from Fallen Idol. The runner-up broke down as he crossed the line, though the severity of the injury is not known as yet.

Class prevailed in the 7f turf handicap with Godolphin's Delegator leading close home under a confident Frankie Dettori to deny Kieren Fallon on Jaasoos.

Settled well off the frantic early pace,Delegator was eased into contention by Dettori before running down Jaasoos close home to win going away.

Having his first run in handicap company, it is the fourth consecutive year that the six-year-old has won first time out and Bin Suroor said: "We know he goes well fresh so we were very hopeful of a big run. He stays further and we will now look for a race over a mile for him. Only Sea The Stars beat him in the 2,000 Guineas and hopefully he can win a big race over the trip."

UAE champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe has enjoyed a remarkable season already and he also saddled a double with stable jockey Royston Ffrenchin the saddle on Zain Shamardal in the Tapeta handicap over an extended 1m1½f.

The pair led close home and Ffrench said: "The yard have had an amazing season so far and this horse is so consistent and versatile and deserved his Carnival win."

Ffrench was later third on Green Beret in a 6f Tapeta handicap won by stable companion Happy Dubai under Silvestre de Sousa, who said: "I rode the horse last week at Jebel Ali and he is a nice type with plenty of speed. He really quickened turning for home and that was a good performance."

William Haggas doubled his UAE tally when Ryan Moore and Sooraah landed the opening 1m Tapeta handicap.

A disappointment when failing to beat a rival in the Cape Verdi on her local debut, she appreciated the drop into handicap company to the delight of Moore who said: "She is a useful mare but ran very flat first time. The month off has clearly done the trick and she did that well."

Maureen Haggas, representing her husband, added: "Charlie Cool won here for us back in 2007 so it is nice to get another Carnival winner on the board."