Cualificar denies Bay City Roller in Niel thriller

Cualificar snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling finishing flourish in the Qatar Prix Niel to deny George Scot’s Bay City Roller.

Andre Fabre’s French Derby runner-up slightly disappointed last time when only third in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and looked like having to settle for a minor role once again at ParisLongchamp as William Buick saw his passage halted by significant travel problems as the race began to unfold.

However, Buick held his nerve and once finding a gap and meeting clean air, flew home to deny Bay City Roller in the shadow of the winning post.

Paddy Power make the winner a 14-1 shot from 66s for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with the master trainer confirming the October 5 showpiece as the target.

Fabre told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s an impressive win for sure, but this is just a prep race for the Arc and it was what I was hoping and expecting with the extra two furlongs and softer ground.

“I took this route with Trempolino a long time ago and he became quite heavy this summer so I thought he would need the extra race (at Deauville last month).”

On his Arc hand, which includes Prix Foy runner-up Sosie, Fabre added: “They are two serious horses.”

Buick was impressed with his mount and concurs with Fabre that he has improved for moving up in distance.

He added: “I was in that position from pretty much the get-go and I knew all the way through the race I was going to have to try and find an out at some stage.

“In these races the horses are often closely matched and you don’t often get the gap. I didn’t get any room down the inside so had to come back to come out and he still finished the way he did to win the race.

“It always takes a bit of doing and he’s a horse who is improving. I was impressed with him when I rode him in the Prix du Jockey Club and I think he’s only getting better. It was his first time going a mile and a half and he was very happy going the distance so you would have to be happy with what he did.”

George Scott was delighted with Bay City Roller and said: “I am obviously very pleased with how he ran. We have always believed in him, and we were disappointed at York, but he had his excuses that day and he showed his true level again today.

“A horse like him has his whole future ahead of him. I am delighted for Sheikh Nasser (owner). He has a very good horse here with great potential. Bay City Roller has a big future, so this is enjoyable and very exciting.

“I think he will have another race, so we’ll discuss it with Sheikh Nasser and see what he thinks. But yes, he will have another run, so we will see. We desperately need soft ground! Everywhere we go, it dries up! I promise you, he will be a much better horse with some ease in the ground, so we will wait.

“Today was a test over a mile and a half, and he showed he stays it without any problem. He was bred for it, he had won a Group Two over 1,400 metres (seven furlongs) at two, so he has speed and now he stays. He has a lot of quality, and I’m happy to train him.”