MOTHECOMBE GETS IT RIGHT AT MEYDAN'S LORD NORTH

British trainer Appleby’s 4YO delivers under Mullen second-up

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Mothecombe was a little unlucky when third on his Meydan debut in the Palm Jumeirah Handicap (1,800m) in December, but made amends second-up by landing the featured AED350,000 (S$123,000) Lord North Handicap at Meydan on Jan 9.

Owned by the powerhouse Godolphin outfit, the four-year-old son of Ghaiyyath carried a featherweight of 53.5kg in the field of 12 and, with stable jockey William Buick unable to make the weight, Richard Mullen took the ride on the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding.

Mothecombe ($14) - who opened his account in a 2,000m race at Newmarket in September - was well positioned throughout the 1,800-metre contest, and eventually won by 1/4 lengths from the Ed Walker-trained Fort George (Kieran Shoemark).

“He broke well,” said Mullen. “Maurizio Pasquale, who rides him each day, does a great job, and he suggested taking the hood off.

“He’s a typical Ghaiyyath - they’re late developers — and he’s a big raw horse.

“He needs winding up, but he will get a mile and a half once he learns to race the right way.

“It was a strongly run race which meant we weren't on top of each other, and that’s where he comes into his own.”