Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore got Dubai World Cup night off to the perfect possible start when Tower Of London came from off the pace to land the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.
Fresh off the back of his narrow victory in the valuable Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh, Tower Of London added yet another illustrious prize to his growing CV when coming from near last to first in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on Saturday.
The race was not devoid of pre-race drama as dual St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov was withdrawn at the gates on veterinary advice, much to the dismay of connections and spectators alike.
Held up towards the rear of the fifteen-strong field for much of the two-mile journey, Ryan Moore eased his mount towards the centre of the track as the pack turned for home rounding the final bend.
Al Nayyir and Trawlerman, who helped force some of the early pace under a positive Kieran Shoemark, both went for home with two furlongs to travel but Ryan Moore always had the leading pair in his sights and produced Tower Of London with a sweeping run to win going away by a length.
"We're delighted, we felt he would come on from Saudi – all the staff have been very happy with him out here," said O'Brien.
"Ryan gave him a beautiful ride; he got it spot on. What can you say about him, he's so cool. He saved ground on him and then dropped him on the line."
Last year's St Leger Stakes fourth could be set for a big season with O'Brien earmarking Royal Ascot as a potential target for the progressive son of Galileo.
He said: "I Imagine he's an Ascot-type horse, the Hardwicke or maybe the Coronation at Epsom."
Moore added: "We had a position down the back, and I tracked Jim Crowley's horse (Sea Stone). He picked up well in the straight and put up an impressive performance."
Part-owner Michael Tabor was enjoying his first trip to Dubai and said: "I just felt that throughout the whole race, he had plenty in hand, everything suited him.
"He didn't have the greatest of draws, but Ryan is Ryan.
"Two miles is as far as he wants to go and he's possibly better at a mile and a half. Ryan was adamant, don't be frightened to go back to a mile and a half. All those races are open to him."
