River's Curtain runs home a winner

River's Curtain, a disappointment for Godolphin in this year's Italian Derby, re-established himself in the best possible way by taking the Dubai Sports Channel (News)-sponsored feature race at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night.

The 3yo Theatrical colt, now in the care of Frenchman Erwan Charpy, produced a scintillating display under Seb Sanders to win the competitive mile and a half conditions race from Blue Snake, ridden by Willie Supple, following a fierce battle down the home stretch.

Suited by Thursday's fast ground, the powerfully built American-bred colt tracked down the leader Blue Snake approaching the final two furlongs. Shaken up by Sanders at this stage, the response was immediate if not totally convincing, asss River's Curtain galloped home two lengths clear of Blue Snake, with Algunnaas third half a length behind.

The effort pleased Charpy who believes that he now had a serious Maktoum Challenge contender in his ward. "He's still green, he didn't quite know what to do when challenged by Blue Snake," said the trainer after the race. "But it was a good effort. I was very keen to see how he would run after a six-month lay-off."

River's Curtain, who was initially trained in Longchamp by French maestro Andre Farbe, was making his first start since disappointing in this May's Derby Italiano (Gr I) at Capannelle. Prior to that he finished sixth behind multiple Group I winner Ciro in the Prix Lupin (Gr I), obviously hampered by Longchamp's soft ground.

"He's quite a temperamental horse who does not have a lot of experience, he's only raced thrice before this," said Charpy. "But he looks like a nice type and hopefully we can aim him at the Maktoum Challenge. But a long term plan would be to find a race for him on the Dubai World Cup cards next March."

Earlier in the evening trainers Adityan Selvartnam and Bob Hackworth Jr deservedly scored their first wins of the season. Selvaratnam, in only his second season in the UAE, sent out his top sprinter Kabalevsky to win a 0-80 handicap sponsored by UAE Radio & Television, Dubai.

Beaten to fourth place by Proud Irishman a little over three weeks ago, the seven-year-old son of Nureyev on Thursday made a triumphant return in the capable hands of John Carroll. Kabalevsky went into the race as the public choice and justified his favouritism with a professional length and three quarter victory over second favourite Marawis, ridden by Richard Hills.

The success of Early Mornin Light in an open looking 0-80 handicap sponsored by Al Adiyat, must have pleased Hackworth no end - the trainer having had to endure three second place finishes and an equal number of third and fourth places, this season.

Claiming rider Gordon Power rode a well-judged race astride Early Mornin Light to get the better of Richard Hills atop Paddy Rudkin's fancied runner Khalas.

Rudkin, however, was not to be denied. He scored back-to-back wins with Mile High and Paris Sport, both ridden by Richard's twin brother Michael, to seize the lead in the 2000-01 trainer's championship from Satish Seemar. Rudkin has 11 wins to Seemar's 10.

Significantly both Mile High and Paris Sport won with much authority and look good for repeat wins later this season.

Commenting on Paris Sport's 6/12 length victory over Seasquill a mile and a half race on turf, Rudkin said: "He loves the grass. He's a lot more relaxed this year and is a nice tough horse who stays well."