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Achill keeps all at Bay

ABU DHABI — Achill Bay, ridden by apprentice jockey Harry Bentley, won the Al Reem Island Handicap, the only Thoroughbred race in the all-Purebred Arabians meeting contested over 2400m at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Too Much Trouble rallied after the slow start to finish second under David Smith as public favourite Leitmotiv, ridden by Wayne Smith was third.

The opening 1600m UAE-Bred Al Khubairah maiden Race, produced a thrilling finish with Patrick Gosgrave driving Etihad to lead right on the line to deny Barood Al Reef.

Trained by Anthony Manuel, the three-year-old gelded son of Zefiro De Nulvi chased the leading group all the way before he responded very strongly to put his head first in a tight finish.

Royston Ffrench teamed up with trainer A Aghbash to partner Meshwar to victory in the Purebred Arabians Al baynoonah Handicap second race on the card.

“He responded well and showed great determination and courage when he was tested near home,” Ffrench said.

The partnership of Eric Lemartinel and Gerald Avranche did the better work astride top weight Dahes in the third race, a 2200m Purebred Arabians Um Al Nar Handicap sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

“I was very lucky to hold on,” said French jockey Gerald Avranche later. “He was always going well and held very strongly when Mooser came flying from the outside close post,” he said.

Tadhg O’Shea claimed a quick double in the fourth and fifth races. After riding Chase Me to victory in the 2200m Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only Rated Maiden, the champion jockey partnered Al Mannsoub to win for his main employer Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com