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Al Qareem pulls it out of the fire

3 minute read

Karl Burke’s Al Qareem (10/3) put his proven stamina to good use when getting back up late to secure Group 3 Jim Barry Cumberland Lodge Stakes honours at Ascot this afternoon.

AL QAREEM (white silks) winning the Lodge Stakes at Ascot in England.
AL QAREEM (white silks) winning the Lodge Stakes at Ascot in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Shadwell team would have been hoping for further Group race success this season with Al Aasy, the 11/10 favourite, and Israr (4/1) both seemingly holding excellent claims on paper. It looked as though they'd get their way with a furlong to run as Israr stretched into a clear two-length lead under hands and heels riding and, in all truth, the four-year-old looked home and hosed in the hands of young Benoit De La Sayette.

However, with proven stamina onside and a recent success in Listed company at Chester under his belt, the front-running Al Qareem battled back gamely and began to eat into Israr's advantage.

The Karl Burke-trained contender continued to close with every stride and soon found himself coming away for a three-quarter of a length victory.

Israr finished back in second with Postileo taking home the bronze medal.

Winning rider Clifford Lee said: "All he does is gallop and he likes these stiff finishes. He doesn't have a turn of foot, but he's got a good cruising speed, and he can keep going.

"To be fair I thought I was always going to get back on him [Israr], it was a long way still from the winning post and my lad keeps galloping; he tries hard."


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