Course Record Winner
Fri 20 Oct 2023
WINNER 97 OF 2023: BATAL DUBAI, trained by Harry & Roger Charlton and ridden by Oisin Murphy: The feature sprint 'Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap' over 6f at Chelmsford.
2/1 fav at the off, he was drawn in the centre and got a pretty good start. Four rivals, however, decided to push forward and took the race along, whilst Oisin was happy to sit in behind. Taking a good position on the inner, the leaders began to drop away and by the home bend, he had one in front of him. Making headway over 2f out, he ran on to lead down the centre of the track and kept on well inside the final furlong, to win by 1 and a 1/2 lengths.
A Tattersalls HIT purchase in May, this was his second win for us - his first in a Class 2 at Newcastle. Pretty special to pick up a course record in doing so!
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/470223-chelmsford-city/19-Oct-2023/1900.(Sadly, there was no post race interview with Oisin.)
Timeform rated it as a career best p103+ performance, saying: "Had been given a chance by the handicapper and capitalised on the drop in grade able to tackle a 0-85 for the first time, doing so in pretty ready fashion; prominent, headway 2f out, led 1f out, kept up to work; should remain competitive.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://meganrosephotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Race-5-Battle-Dubai/G0000eldXqHVz35E/C00001WWDGM0c.oQ
Syndicate manager Tom says: "What a ride that was from Oisin and didn't the horse respond for him when asked to quicken away. They went hard in front and as he flew down the home straight, he ran well through the line and so we're thrilled that he has taken the course record and put in a career best. Congratulations to his owners, thank you to team Charlton and well done to Oisin on his double. I will discuss his Tattersalls HIT entry for next week with his syndicate to see what their thoughts are. Three more wins needed to bring up the 100 for the year!"
We will be at the Tattersalls H-I-T Sale next week looking for more progressive horses like him, so make sure you add your name to our mailing list so you will receive the details of any purchases we make. You can do that here: MPR Mailing List.