TDN RISING STARS

November 4, 2009 - NOTTINGHAM, Race , Mdn, GBP £6,500, 1m 75y, 13.1000

Burj Nahar (GB), C, 2009, by Shamardal

1st Dam: Melikah (SW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, $127,600), by
2nd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: Allegretta (GB), by Lombard (Ger)

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Darley
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

Burj Nahar was scratched from contesting a similar engagement at this track last week, but made his mark in this belated bow with an impressive opening performance. Godolphin's 8-11 favorite raced a shade keenly under a tight hold through the early strides until settling into a stalking rhythm after a furlong. Taking a slender lead into the final quarter mile, he quickened clear of toiling rivals approaching the final eighth and cruised to the line in a low gear to score by a facile 3 3/4 lengths from Molon Labe (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). "He knew what was expected of him, he was out handy and we got a nice lead off the [eventual] second all the way round," said winning rider Ted Durcan. "It's soft ground, but he handled it well. He had a nice trip, it wasn't a hard run and he's a scopey horse, too. His mindset is absolutely A1, so he's a smashing horse in the making." Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £4,209.