JDG

After a respectable return in the Prix Warda (PA) last month, the unexposed four-year-old Mantahare (Af Albahar) proved too strong to win the Gr.2 (PA) Sheikh Mansoor Festival - Prix Nefta at Toulouse on Sunday, April 21st. Trained by François Rohaut, the daughter of Af Albahar was having her only third start and is now a Gr.2 (PA) winner. The H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and H.E. Sheika Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani - owned looks set for a bright future. Patiently ridden by Maxime Guyon, Mantahare, traveled well in second last just ahead of stable companion Marwa (Al Mouwaffak). Entering the final straight, Mantahare quickly passed the field and went clear to win by two lengths. Asslan Al Shahania Bear (Af Al Buraq) took second while the favourite Marwa took third. Winning trainer said after the race: She had an impressive turn of foot today. She had the advantage of having a run this year. Marwa didn’t quite get out of her winter period and will be better this summer. But she ran really well, she’s still a bit shy, she’s more complicated than Mantahare and she’s keen. There is still a few settings to make. They both have tougher races later on this year and they needed to run today to be able to run in June and July. Bred by E.A.R.L Champ Gignoux he is out of Mantalo (Al Sakbe).