ABU DHABI – Jaasoos worked his way through in the hands and heels of James Doyle to land the 1400 President Cup (Listed) at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here on Sunday night.

Having drawn in stall one, the seven-year-old gelded son of Noverre raced against the wire before Doyle changed course to put him in the clear and win the title for the fourth time for the Jebel Ali-based trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam in the yellow colours of Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Dhruba said he expected a good run from Jaasoos and the same opinion was echoed by the brilliant jockey James Doyle who partnered the horse to victory.

“This horse has got a lot of talent and not short of speed,” said the winning jockey James Doyle later.

“I think he deserves to win. He’s being very unlucky last time when narrowly beaten by IL Grande Maurizio last time out. This time he settled in a good position and travelled nicely when in the clear. He did a very good job,” Doyle added.

Seasonal debutant Escape Route chased the winner home under Richard Mullen to take second and Finjaan, ridden by Tadhg O’Shea was the third to cross the finish line.

Public favourite IL Grande Maurizio dropped back to the tail of the field to finish disappointingly sixth.

In the meantime, Mestor, Royston Ffrench up, did everything right to win the 1600m Purebred Arabians Abu Dhabi Championship (Listed), the third race on the card to make three in a row.

Unbeaten in last two starts, the Mahabb colt led from the gate to the wire and held on courageously when challenged by Daffagh Al Asayl under Wayne Smith close home.

AF Al Hema came from nowhere under Tadhg O’Shea to sprint home easily in the 1600m Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (Prestige) first race on the card to make it a winning start for trainer Eric Lemartinel in the distinguished all-black silks of Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. Sawbah, ridden by Jesus Rosales finished third.

However, O’Shea completed a quick Classic double when the Irishman partnered Okba to glory in a tight finish to land the 1600m Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (Prestige) for trainer Mohammed Al Ketbi in the colours of Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. AF Sanadek came with a late run under Gerald Avranche to miss by a head and behind them finished the mount of Harry Bentley, Al Waqqad.

Salima Al Taleei rode her first winner of the season when the Omani apprentice lady jockey partnered top weight Maram to win the 1200m Wathba Stud Farm Handicap (For Private Owners Only) in great style.

The final event, the 2200m Al Reem Island Maiden Race, was won by Nawasi Alkeer under Carlos Sanchez for trainer Jameel Salman.