Dubai: Godolphin have blamed Jalil's disappointing performance in Saturday's $6 million (Dh22.5 million) Dubai World Cup on a lack of experience, but remain confident that he will 'bounce back.'
Jalil was expected to mount a strong challenge to race favourite Curlin, but could only finish seventh to the American superstar.
Frankie Dettori, who rode Jalil, remarked: "The horse is too young - this race has come a year too early for him. We will have to wait for next year."
After a slightly slow start, the Godolphin contender made progress from second last of the 12 runners to be seventh turning for home on the outside.
But when asked for his effort by Dettori, the four-year-old who cost $9.8 million (Dh37 million) as a yearling, had nothing more to give. He was beaten just over 15 lengths by Curlin, last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner who won in a smart time of 2m 0.15s.
Learning experience
Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour said he was disappointed, but subscribed to Dettori's view that the horse lacked experience for a race like the Dubai World Cup. "I was hoping for a better performance from Jalil so I have to be disappointed with the result," he said. "We will see how he comes out of the race before making plans."
Bin Surour was also confident that Jalil will come back soon. "He's still a baby, and he will learn from every race," he said. "Obviously he will have learned a lot from Saturday's race.
"But we need to give him time to mature and gain experience. But I have no doubt he will bounce back."
Godolphin plan to campaign Jalil, who prior to the Dubai World Cup was unbeaten in three starts on dirt at Nad Al Sheba, in America.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said earlier last week: "Jalil will go to America for the summer. He is an exciting horse to have.
"Whatever happens in the Dubai World Cup, this time next year he will be even better than he is now.
"We all know he is going to be good on turf as well - he has only just learned how to be a racehorse but he will go to America and we will stick to the surface he seems to like at the moment.
"The change of surface helped him this year but more than anything it is a question of him coming to himself - growing up and learning how to be a racehorse."
The horse is too young - this race has come a year too early for him. We will have to wait for next year."
Frankie Dettori, Jalil's jockey
