DUBAI – 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 1¼ 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.”

Fellow British trainer Jamie Osborne meant business with a large team for the 2026 Dubai Racing Carnival, and it is reaping rewards.

The former National Hunt jockey celebrated a double at Meydan’s second meeting in 2026, thanks to two very different horses.

First came the veteran Sean ($58), who won his first race after only three years and at the age of nine, in the opening DP World Digital Technology Handicap (1,900m) on turf.

The son of Excelebration was produced late by Saffie Osborne to secure his maiden victory, pouncing on Kathab (Myrzabek Kappushev), who looked to have the race won.

But it was a half-length success...