Doha, Qatar: The Dunkirk Lads produced a stunning late burst to land the Rowdat Rashid Cup at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.

The six-year-old gelding, owned by Mohammed Hamad al-Hajri & Sons and trained by Hadi Al-Ramzani, was settled towards the rear before unleashing a dazzling surge down the outside in the home straight.

The connections of The Dunkirk Lads celebrate their victory. Pics: Juhaim/QREC

Under a perfectly timed ride from Jefferson Smith, he swept past his rivals in the closing strides to clinch a thrilling victory in the thoroughbred handicap (85–105) for three-year-old+ over 1200m, the day's feature.

Settled towards the rear for much of the race, The Dunkirk Lads travelled comfortably as Weissmuller made the early running before Jungle Mate, trained and owned by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al-Malki under Tomas Lukasek, took over in the home straight.

Jungle Mate opened up what looked like a decisive advantage, but The Dunkirk Lads unleashed a powerful surge down the outside in the closing stages, sweeping past his rivals to seal victory in the day's feature race.

Return To Senders, representing Al Eida Racing and trained by Jassim Al-Ghazali with Louis Nomis aboard, finished strongly to claim third spot, a length and three-quarters behind the runner-up, Jungle Mate.

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