Tidarbret set a strong gallop from the start with Nayef Al Khalidiah, Rabah De Carrere, Dorat Nour and Raked all prominent and 11/10 favourite General being held right up at the back of the field. As they approached the three furlong maker Alan Munro kicked for home on Rabah De Carrere with Nayef Al Khalidiah stalking menacingly in behind and Raked hard pushed.

As they entered the final two furlongs Christophe Lemaire sent Nayef Al Khalidiah for home and galloped into a confident lead with Raked chasing him all the way to the line. General was caught napping at the back of the field and David Bouland seemed to have left it too late as he flew past the majority of the field in the final two furlongs passing all bar Nayef Al Khalidiah and just getting the better of a hard battle with Raked for second.

Nayef Al Khalidiah (Calin Du Loup x RW Country Doll) won confidently here, galloping resolutely clear of the field and looks a smart and progressive colt. Owner and breeder Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud and trainer Jean Francois Bernard have now won this race for the third year in succession. General (Amer x Al Hanoof) ran a superb race to claim second but was arguably given far too much to do by the jockey and if he had come with his run earlier he may well have emulated his famous sibling Al Dahma and won this race too. Raked (Magic De Piboul x Sheena) was always prominent and raced hard inside the final furlong and was unlucky not to hold onto second from the fast finishing general. Back in fourth was Rabah De Carrere who ran a brave race, forcing the pace inside the final furlongs, but he was no match for the first three.