Grafelli eases to victory under Kevin Manning© Photo Healy Racing
Some of the gloss was taken off the Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse Anglesey Stakes with the early defection of Cristoforo Colombo but he would have had his work cut out to beat the Jim Bolger trained Grafelli (9/4) who ran out an impressive six and a half length winner.
Ridden by Kevin Manning, the son of Hannouma hit the front over a furlong out and switched over to the rail before keeping on strongly to record an easy success in the Group 3 contest. Hard Yards for Andy Oliver and Chris Hayes finished second at 8/1 while the 7/4 favourite Count Of Limonade was a further length and three parts back in third under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.
Jim Bolger said afterwards: "We will step him up to a Group 2 next and there maybe a race for him in France later in the year. He handled the ground really well.
"We knew he would come on quite a bit on homework. He is a bit behind Dawn Approach but he could be catching up on him now.
"The trip and the ground don’t matter to him. I expect him to get a mile and I think he will be even better on better ground.
"His owner (Sylvain Benillouche) is a Frenchman and he owns a stud farm in Normandy. He has had horses with us down through the years since 1982."
Stan James introduced the winner at 40/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas while Ladbrokes go 33/1 and Boylesports are best priced at 50's.
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
