Sheikh Hamdan’s famous blue and white silks were carried to victory in both turf races at Meydan yesterday, with the owner’s retained jockey Paul Hanagan aboard Almoonqith, trained by South African Mike De Kock, scoring in the featured 1,600m handicap.

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Well beaten on dirt last Thursday, he clearly relished the return to turf having also won his only Meydan start on grass last season. 

Hanagan said: “We tried him on dirt last week and he did not handle it. We thought he would run well today and I was always pretty confident.”

Earlier, the same connections were narrowly denied in a 1,200m turf handicap, in which their Mastermind looked the likely winner, only to be denied by Kanaf.

Trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, Kanaf, also owned by Sheikh Hamdan, was a first Meydan winner for apprentice George Buckell, who said: “I am really enjoying my experience in the UAE.”

Former Champion Trainer Doug Watson saddled a 1-2 in a 1,600m handicap with stable jockey Pat Dobbs aboard runner-up State Law, denied by Sam Hitchcott and One Man Band. 

Watson said: “We knew both had a big chance and it was a real tough choice for Pat, but great result for Sam who works hard at home.”

Another previous local title holder, Ali Rashid Al Raihe, also managed to supply a first and second in the same race with Not A Given and stable jockey Royston Ffrench landing a 1,400m handicap.

He was chased home by stablemate Ghaamer, who tried to make all under Dane O’Neill. Having finished second twice, third and fourth on his previous outings this season, few could begrudge Year Of Glory a first career win in the opening 1,200m maiden. 

He and Richard Mullen led virtually all the way for trainer Satish Seemar.

Mullen said: “He has been very consistent but always seemed to find one or two too good. The drop back to 1,200m has helped.”

The final race on the card, a dirt handicap over 1,900m, was won by Ormindo under Adrie De Vries for trainer Ahmad bin Harmash.