The start of the 2007 season at Newbury

Dubai Tennis Championships Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) (1m4f5y) 1m4f

1 Maraahel (IRE) 7 Sir Michael Stoute 6 9-3

2 nk Mighty 8 Jane Chapple-Hyam 4 8-11

3 1¼ Munsef 5 J L Dunlop 5 8-12

4 1 Sergeant Cecil 9 B R Millman 8 9-5

5 ½ Admiral´s Cruise (USA) 3 B J Meehan 5 9-1

6 1¾ The Whistling Teal 1 G Wragg 11

7 nk Akarem 2 K R Burke 6 8-12

8 3 Bulwark (IRE) 6 Mrs A J Perrett 5 8-12

9 1 Green Room (FR) 4 J L Dunlop 4 8-8

9 ran TIME 2m 36.83s (slow by 4.83s) TOTAL SP 112%
1st OWNER: Hamdan Al Maktoum BRED: Shadwell Estate Company Limited TRAINER: Sir Michael Stoute
2nd OWNER: Franconson Partners And Vanessa Church
3rd OWNER: Hamdan Al Maktoum



Something of a re-run of last year's race, although on quicker ground, because while the winner Mubtaker is no longer with us, the next four home were renewing rivalry.

MARAAHEL stood out on his best form, but he is not easy to win with (he was only third last year when he also had an obvious chance) and was tried in blinkers here, rather than the usual visor (he wore neither 12 months ago). He owes his success in part to a clever front-running ride from Richard Hills, who didn't fight him when heset off running very keen but then slowed it right down on the turn before kicking on again as they straightened up. The change of tactics worked well, and although Mighty got upsides looking very dangerous with around two furlongs to go, Maraahel showedno sign of shirking the issue. He was always just holding on and Hills was able to put his whip down in the last 100 yards. While he didn't need to reproduce his Group 1 form, this was an encouraging reappearance. He is firmly on course for another crackat the Hardwicke, which he won last year.

Bargain buy Mighty had been a revelation on the all-weather, finishing fourth in the Winter Derby, and his new connections had said all along he would be better again back on turf. He was given a fine rideand was best placed to respond when Maraahel stepped up the gallop again. He gave his former stablemate a fright and finished a clear second best, confirming he is versatile and still improving.

Last year's runner-up Munsef, gelded since, got outpaced on the quicker ground but was doing good work in the closing stages. However, he shaped just as well last year, yet failed to win afterwards.

Sergeant Cecil repeated last year's fourth, but he ran much better, as he was carrying a Group 1 7lb penalty this time. He was going on very well at the finish after being dropped out as usual, and he heads for the Yorkshire Cup, in which he will be penalised again but must have a great chance.

Photos:

The Cecil arriving At The Races, note owner Terry Cooper in the background:
(all Photos: Jimmy Clark)

saddled up:

rearing to go:

returning after finishing a gutsy 4th:

Parts of the Team around the Cecil
(incl. the creator of this page as an onlooker):