3 minute read

Day 1 of this popular meeting produced surprises in all three Group races.

In the Bahrain Trophy it was David Simcock's Spanish Mission under Jamie Spencer who broke the race record in winning and may get a trip to the US in future.  He finished 4 lengths ahead of Nayef Road with another roughie in Nate The Great 20/1 third, ahead of Barbados.

It was a tight photo finish in the July Stakes with Royal Anthem 11/1 giving Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan the win just ahead of Godolphin's Platinum Star and odds-on favourite Visinari third.

And Masar didn't fire in the Princess of Wales's which went to Mark Johnston's Communique under Silvestre de Sousa.  Mirage Dancer did what he does well – run second – and will probably target Goodwood for the race he won last year.  Desert Encounter 25/1 was third for David Simcock and will be heading back to Canada later in the season.  Dashing Willoughy was fourth.

Bahrain have announced that they are going to hold an international meeting in late November.  There's only one race this year but they are hoping to build up to bigger things. Slight problem with the date as it is only 2 days before the Japan Cup.

Friday sees the running of the G2 Duchess of Cambridge for the 2yo fillies over 1200m.  7 to run with Albany winner Daayeh heading the market on 6/4 with Raffle Prize 7/2 and if you really want to go seriously rough Bredenbury is 16/1 for the in-form David Simcock yard.

The G1 Falmouth Stakes has 7 runners and William Haggas is saddling two in an effort to win this trophy for the first time.  They are Own Master, win of the 2018 Prix de la Forêt, on 5/2 and the promising and improving Beshaayir on 7/2.