Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes report and replay: Powerful Glory stays unbeaten

A morning thunderstorm changed the going to heavy in Berkshire and led to the defections of Andesite, Defence Minister, Shadow Of Light and Symbol Of Strength.

The winner, who Sporting Life are following in a video series this year, raced on the right-flank of the field along with eventual runner-up La Bellota (28/1) and they had the race between them from the furlong pole.

And it was Powerful Glory under Oisin Orr who had reserves in the attritional closing stages to go on and score by a neck with the principals pulling a further two-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Billboard Star in third.

"Hopefully he can be top class. He's done nothing wrong in his career so far and he hated that ground today and won it through ability," said the winning rider.

"Darragh Keenan arrived alongside me a furlong and a half out and for a couple of strides I actually thought he had be but ability got my lad through today. I think he is very good. On his work at home he's never put a foot wrong so it's onwards and upwards from here.

"I think he could get faster the more he runs. He's bred to be quick enough but is a big, scopey horse too so I'm not sure what they'll decide with him but there are plenty of options."

Powerful Glory is owned by Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum and his representative Philip Robinson admitted the team had not been entirely sure about running in such testing conditions after winning on quick ground at Pontefract.

He said: “We thought about not running but as it was his last of the season, we decided to take our chance. His jockey said he wasn’t enjoying it from halfway but his true class got him through it.

“He’s now won on extremes from firm to heavy and it’s a big plus to know he can do that. I think the best horse won, and it’s onwards and upwards.”

Fahey, who was winning the race for a third time, was at Ayr where he told ITV Racing: “It’s great to see him win, he’s a horse I do like but I was very worried about the ground as he’s such a good moving horse.

“I had a chat with Sheikh Rashid but he said give it a go and I thought fair play, there was no pressure so he’s been rewarded – the trainer might have bottled it if left to his own devices. He’s on his holidays now, I did say if he ran that would be it, he’s quite a scopey horse, he was prepped for a breeze so I’d love to leave him alone now. We think he’s special so we’ll treat him as if he is.”

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