Sheikh Joaan Al Thani’s Al Shaqab Racing was on the scoresheet again as Al Anoud posted a game success in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap over 10 furlongs.
Ridden by Hector Crouch for trainer Ralph Beckett, Al Anoud raced in the first two throughout and galloped out strongly when challenged by rivals inside the final furlong.
Sent off at 7/2, the Kingman filly beat the 9/4 favourite Power Of Destiny by a head, with Warda Jamila, who briefly disputed for the lead two furlongs out, having to settle for third.
Beckett said: “I was fairly confident Al Anoud would handle the drop back in trip. Even though they went no gallop, she didn’t really get home over 12 furlongs at Pontefract last time.
“Al Anoud and Doha, who runs in the Nassau Stakes tomorrow, arrived in the same week with us last year after the July Meeting and you wouldn‘t have picked which was the better filly at the time. So we always thought this filly would graduate but we will see.
“I think we will stick at this distance and there is a race for her at York’s Ebor meeting.”
Crouch said: “The race worked out nicely for us. We didn’t feel she stayed the trip last time out at Pontefract, so we went back to a mile and a quarter. She saw the trip out well.
“She was in there off a big weight; I thought the Stoute filly [Power Of Destiny] would be tough to beat with the weight we were giving away, so no cribbing her ability.”