Marmelo and Dandhu impress at Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials at Newbury

On entering the final furlong, Hughie Morrison’s stable star looked to be heading for outside the top three places as Aspetar, Laraaib and Defoe broke clear in a race better known as the John Porter.

Marmelo – not surprisingly for a horse racing over short of his optimum trip – began to stay on stoutly for Gerald Mosse, albeit with victory still appearing rather remote.

However with 100 yards to go Marmelo was making up the lost ground rapidly and Aspetar had no answer to his challenge, with the Morrison’s start pulling clear to win by a length at the line. Laraaib, who was last off the bridle, was two lengths back in third.

That win the opening race of the day was the first of a quick-fire double for Mosse who was also on board Dandhu who just edged matters to land the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (previously known as the Fred Darling).

Dandhu held off the challenge of the fast-finishing Iconic Choice to get the verdict by a short head and provide a big-race winner for David Elsworth who has a genuine Classic contender on his hands.

Iconic Choice made a rattling late burst under Richard Kingscote but could not quite reach the daughter of Dandy Man. So Perfect, the representative of Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan, was third.

Mohaather emerged as genuine 2,000 Guineas contender with a decisive success in the Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes.

Successful in the Horris Hill Stakes on his final start at two, he was sent off as one of the leading contenders in the absence of Guineas favourite Too Darn Hot who had been expected to make his reappearance.

It was obvious from the start that the result was never in much doubt as Jim Crowley sat motionless on the outside of the field before taking up the running from Boitron. Urban Icon looked like he might be able to get on terms albeit briefly but Mohaather pulled out more, and it was Great Scot who ran on into second for Tom Dascombe.

There was also a quick-fire double for trainer Andrew Balding thanks to the comfortable successes for Fox Chairman and Raise You.

The first came in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Maiden Stakes Div I as Silvestre De Sousa guided Fox Chairman to a four length canter, ahead of Migration in second and Just The Man in third.

Balding was back in the winner’s enclosure after the next race, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Maiden Stakes Div II as Raise You, ridden by Oisin Murphy stormed to a six length victory, leading Ocean Paradise in second and Roseman in third.