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| Staff Writer |
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Bleak showed his staying prowess with a determined victory in the National Bank of Bahrain Cup over 2,400m at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club yesterday. The progressive 4YO, trained by Fawzi Nass and partnered by Husain Makki, powered past Knight Of Honour in the closing stages to land the US$10,600 feature.
Earlier on the card, West Suffolk impressed when landing the NBB Prestige Cup over 1,800m for trainer Abdulla Kuwaiti. The winner, sporting the famous silks of Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, stayed on strongly under Abdulrahim Jasim to deny Laser Guided.
The NBB Sprint Cup saw Inveigle showcase his speed credentials for trainer Mahmood Jawad. The improving sprinter, owned by Sayed Jawad Marzooq and ridden by Ebrahim Nader, held off the late challenge of Tribal Hunter.
Previous winners of this prestigious contest include Desert Force (2022), who went on to land three Group Three races, and Speed Master (2021), successful in the Gr.1 Bahrain Crown Prince Cup.
Mudallal captured the NBB Thara'a Cup for the in-form Fawzi Nass yard, while Galatia proved too strong in the NBB Mile Cup for Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa. The well-supported Winforglory secured the NBB Apprentice Cup under a confident ride from Hussain Asghar.
In the opening contest, Musannan M908 landed the NBB Arabian Cup for Mohamediya Racing, continuing their excellent recent form. The middle-distance contest went to Members Only, who showed a smart turn of foot to claim the NBB Go Cup for Al Adiyat Racing.
The eight-race card, sponsored throughout by NBB, showcased the depth of talent currently racing in Bahrain, with prize money totalling US$31,800 across the programme.