Abu Dhabi: There were no surprises in the His Highness The President’s Cup Group One Purebred Arabian contest over 2,200m as firm favourite Thakif, ridden by Qatar’s champion jockey Harry Bentley, produced a repeat of last year’s power-packed performance to clinch the title.

Thakif was on the money last year as well but later was stripped of the title following a stewards inquiry. However, this time around, Bentley, undoubtedly, was elated with the effort.

“He brought back some memories of last year and he was deadly over this strip. I was always thinking to push him a bit, but he was too fast in the end. He has got a lot better with age. He now knows how to stick his head out and perform,” said a jubilant Bentley.

Trainer Nacer Samiri immediately announced that Thakif will be heading for the Emir’s Cup in Qatar in two weeks’ time.

“Thakif will compete in Qatar and then the Kahayla Classic on the Dubai World Cup night,” said the handler.

The win would have been more sweeter for Bentley and owner Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, as Thakif pipped Abu Alabyad, ridden by Gerald Avranche by half a length. It may be recalled that Abu Alabyad was declared winner last year after Thakif was disqualified following the stewards’ decision. Finishing third was reserve horse Nashmee under leading jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who was another two and quarter lengths behind the Eric Lemartinel-trained Abu Alabyad.

The Al Asayl trainer had some consolation of saddling a double on the night with Al Jazi in the second race and Molahen El Alhan in the final race.

Paul Hanagan on Ghaamer hit the front from start and stayed close to the rails to clinch the 1,400-metre His Highness The President’s Cup Thoroughbred Listed race of the evening. Zahee, ridden by Wayne Smith, tried to make a late surge, but was beaten to the tape by a neck. Finishing third a further neck behind was Forjatt, ridden by Christopher Hayes.

“He likes to be there in the front. Once he got into the lead, he got pestered a bit to get into the front as he kind of relaxes a bit. He has done us proud over the years you know,” said an elated Hanagan, adding that, it has been an excellent season for owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Dere’A Al Jazeera, Sam Hitchcott astride, comfortably by three quarter lengths over Al Shabab, ridden by apprentice jockey Marc Monaghan, to clinch the 1,400-metre Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners Only for Purebred Arabians.

Main race results:

HH The President Cup PA — Group I 2200M (a11F) — Turf AED 3,000,000: 1. Thakif (N Samiri) Harry Bentley, 2. Abu Alabyad, 3 Nashmee. Distances: 0.5 lengths, 2.5. Time: 02:30:65 secs

HH The President Cup TB — Listed 1400M (a7F) — Turf AED 380,000: 1. Ghaamer (A Al Raihe) Paul Hanagan, 2. Zahee, 3 Forjatt. Distance: NK, NK. Time: 01:23:93