IT was a low key to start to the Dubai Duty Free Derby meeting on the Friday night with the pick of the performances on the clock Longbourn (91) who landed the Tri Equestrian Handicap under a textbook front-running ride from Joey Sheridan.

The first two home were prominent throughout as Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding proved too strong for Solene Lilyette (91), who herself had been on a roll winning her two previous starts.

A comparison of overall race times over the same course and distance with the maiden won by Interpretation (86), weighs in favour of the handicap although Longbourn’s closing sectional of 36.62 seconds was slower than the 35.40 achieved by Aidan O’Brien’s maiden winner.

However, the son of Mukhadram won with a little in hand and has the potential to defy the rise in grade that is probably coming his way.

The run of Miss Myers (85) is worth closer inspection as the filly continues to close off in taking fashion after missing the break. The daughter of Zoffany posted a closing sectional of 35.62 seconds and, in running well, advertised the form of the handicap won by Visualisation that also produced Saturday’s handicap winner Sirjack Thomas.

Alex’s advantage

On the straight track, Ice Cold In Alex (82) took advantage of a pace collapse to win the seven-furlong handicap. The overall race time was much quicker than the two maidens that opened the card, but the closing sectional in comparison was two and a half seconds slower leaving the impression that the front runners had gone too hard.

Of those disadvantaged by a high draw, Howling Wolf (76) can be given another chance in a similar big-field handicap where the likely pace is strong.