Algiers threw his hat into the ring as a possible Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup contender with a runaway victory in spherical one of many Al Maktoum Problem at Meydan.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s cost gained a Group Three at Jebel Ali final winter earlier than ending down the sphere within the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup evening.
Nonetheless, the six-year-old confirmed his true price on his return to Britain – successful on the turf at York in October earlier than pushing George Boughey’s Royal Ascot winner Missed The Minimize shut in an exhilarating climax to Lingfield’s Churchill Stakes the next month.
Algiers was attributable to return to Lingfield for the Quebec Stakes simply earlier than Christmas, however with that fixture deserted he as a substitute headed straight for Dubai and was again over a mile and returning to dust within the arms of James Doyle.
At all times travelling strongly, the gelded son of Shamardal moved easily to the entrance rounding the house flip earlier than pulling six and a half lengths clear.
“He missed the Quebec with the climate freezing all the things over, however he was match and effectively coming into tonight and it was an excellent efficiency,” mentioned Ed Crisford.
“We had been a bit involved concerning the draw as should you get a little bit of kickback it may be powerful on them, particularly in the event that they’re not seasoned on it, however he travelled extraordinarily effectively and I believed James rode a really wise race.
“He was drawn 15 within the Godolphin Mile final yr and he was out the again and it was simply a kind of runs you set a line via. It’s all about how they bounce and journey on dust and as we speak he did it the suitable means spherical.
“He has additionally been gelded since final yr. He put in a career-best efficiency at Lingfield when Missed The Minimize simply beat him and tonight he’s crushed seasoned dust horses and put it to mattress in a short time, so it appears like he’s improved once more.”
Whereas eager to let the mud settle earlier than firming up plans, Crisford is trying ahead to seeing him have a crack at some main prizes within the coming weeks.
He added: “We’ll have to take a look at it. There’s one other Al Maktoum Problem arising over a mile and 1 / 4 and he’s within the Saudi Cup.
“We’ll in all probability hold him to dust, however he’s versatile trip-wise and he’ll be in all of the races constructing as much as World Cup evening.
“If you win an Al Maktoum Problem like he has you’ve acquired to be eager about that (Dubai World Cup), however that isn’t till the top of March and there’s lots of water to go underneath the bridge between at times.”
Doyle went on to finish a treble on the cardboard, with the Charlie Appleby-trained Al Suhail setting a brand new seven-furlong monitor file within the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort earlier than Lazuli beat stablemate Man Of Promise over 5 furlongs within the Ertijaal Dubai Sprint.
Of Al Suhail, Appleby mentioned: “His homework’s been good and as we’ve seen out right here earlier than he’s a robust traveller.
“He’s acquired an abundance of expertise there. Typically he has his personal concepts about it, however he’s travelled into it supremely effectively and picked up very properly.”
There was additionally success for Britain within the Dubai Racing Membership Traditional Handicap, with the returning Enemy taking prime honours for Ian Williams and Richard Kingscote.
Making his first look since ending down the sphere within the Ebor at York final summer time, the six-year-old knuckled all the way down to win with one thing to spare.
Williams was at Ludlow, the place he additionally saddled a winner, and mentioned: “I used to be very impressed with Enemy’s run. He’d had a wind op after the Ebor and missed what appeared a golden alternative at Newcastle final month after they deserted racing. I used to be actually involved having him there (in Dubai).
“It hadn’t been my intention to run on this race however I knew we would have liked a run earlier than he went into the Group races afterward within the yr.
“He’ll keep in Dubai as he’s engaged within the Pink Sea Handicap in Saudi Arabia, which is a risk.”
Tadhg O’Shea secured his 700th UAE winner aboard veteran sprinter Switzerland within the Dubawi Stakes.
The nine-year-old claimed the Group Three prize in 2021 and final yr gained the Group One Golden Shaheen on World Cup evening.
On driving his 700th winner within the UAE, O’Shea mentioned: “It’s improbable – I’ve to pinch myself actually. Onwards and upwards – hopefully 701 isn’t too distant.”