West Acre (Ire)

Having endured a number of near-misses in similar company, Michael Blencowe can be forgiven if he's still basking in the glory of last month's Group 2 victory at Meydan with West Acre (Ire), an "exhilarating" experience which now has the owner dreaming of a first Group 1 triumph in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night. Blencowe's red silks with gold collar, cuffs and cap have become an increasingly familiar sight on British racecourses in recent years, but he was still yet to see one of his horses...

Never tried in stakes company prior to Friday's 1000-metre AED850,000 G2 Blue Point Sprint presented by Longines, West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) skipped home a good-looking winner. The Michael Blencowe-owned 3-year-old gelding steamed past  Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Cover Up (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) lost second by only a nose. The final time was :55.38, a new course record. Ponntos leaped straight to the head of affairs and was moving well for much of this but began to look vulnerable inside the final...