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| Staff Writer |
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Spangled Mac delivered a commanding performance to land the US$80,000 Al Riffa Cup, providing George Boughey with his third triumph in Bahrain. The British raider, expertly piloted by locally-based Rosie Jessop, dominated from the front in the 1200m contest.
The gelding, showing marked improvement from his Bahrain debut three weeks prior, spearheaded an all-international finish. Previous Turf Series victors Rocket Rodney, representing George Scott, and Roman Dragon from Hugo Palmer's yard, filled the minor places.
In the US$80,000 Al Dana Cup over 2000m, Majestic produced a spectacular last-to-first victory under a masterful Seamie Heffernan ride. The 7YO, trained by Jack Channon, swooped late down the outside to secure his first success since claiming the 2022 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.
The locally trained Merlin's Beard maintained second position after setting the early tempo, while Boughey's Mr Alan secured third. Snellen, successful in the opening round of the middle-distance division, finished fifth, with Lion of War taking sixth place after both encountered traffic in the closing stages.
For Channon, it marked a milestone first victory in Bahrain, made more poignant as the gelding carried the yellow and black silks of his father, Mick, who previously trained Majestic to his Cambridgeshire triumph.
Jessop, speaking post-race, reflected on Spangled Mac's performance: "He's really strengthened up since arriving here. The step up to 1200m has brought about significant improvement, and he's done it well today."
Heffernan added: "We didn't get the best start, but it worked out perfectly. He's got a tremendous turn of foot when he hits top gear, and once we found clear running, I knew we'd get there."