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Basem proves up to Challenge

The Coral Challenge went to a Sandown specialist as Saeed bin Suroor's Basem clung on in a pulsating finish.

The Godolphin runner was sent off the 7-2 joint-favourite for the fiercely-competitive handicap having struck gold on each of his two previous visits to the Esher track.

Just as he had done three weeks ago, Basem tracked the pacesetting Jacob Black into the straight before being angled off the rail to throw down his challenge two furlongs from the finish.

James Doyle's mount battled his way by his old rival passing the furlong marker before both Munaaser and Master Carpenter finished powerfully, but Basem held them both at bay.

Munaaser was half a length away in second, with Master Carpenter just a short head further back in third.

Doyle said: "I said this morning we wanted a bit further, so we wanted a decent gallop and we got it, which suited me.

"It panned out lovely. He wants a bit more give in the ground than today - it's quite quick.

"He picked up the leader and just didn't do a whole lot, but on the ground he was just looking after himself a touch."

James Ferguson, representing Bin Suroor, said: "He really had to dig deep there as Frankie (Dettori) set a good pace. He loved chasing him down. However, he definitely wants more give in the ground.

"I asked James after he got off if we should step him up in trip and he said not at this stage.

"He's got a long way to go to match Farhh (full-brother), but he's done nothing wrong and is evidently going the right way.

"He deserves to go up in grade now. Saeed was looking at a Listed race at Pontefract later in the month. I'm sure Saeed and the boss (Sheikh Mohammed) will talk about where he goes next."

Doyle was also on the mark when Flash Fire got his career back on track with a commanding victory from the front in the coral.co.uk Handicap.

Although disappointing on his first start for Charlie Appleby at the track last month, the 11-2 shot proved he had come on for his reappearance when showing his rivals a clean pair of heels in the seven-furlong contest.

Easy Tiger mounted a challenge down the outside, but his run quickly came to nothing as the Richard Hannon-trained pair of Miracle Ninetynine and Harbour Patrol set off in pursuit of the leader on the run to the furlong pole.

Despite the pair's best efforts to reduce the gap, it was not to be as Flash Fire galloped on relentlessly, crossing the line six lengths to the good over Harbour Patrol.

Doyle said: "We were a little bit disappointed with his first run, but he badly needed it and it showed today. That just took the edge off him and he relaxed nicely out in front. He had been working well with some decent horses without setting the world alight."

As to where he will go next Ferguson, also representing Appleby, said a trip to the Qatar Goodwood Festival could now be on the cards.

He said: "We decided to come here over running at Leicester as the ground was quick here and it has paid off.

"He liked the ground and the seven furlongs. There is a nice seven-furlong handicap he could go for at Goodwood but that is something the boss and Charlie will talk about."


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