Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who retains the British rider, was delighted after Muthmir displayed plenty of guts to repel the challenge of Take Cover in a fierce renewal of the King George Stakes (G2).
After finishing a close third in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, Muthmir ran below par in the July Cup (G1) before returning to his best form to run a blinder here.
“He’s very good. Everyone knows how strong he is now,” said Hanagan.
William Haggas, who trained the winner, added: “He’s fast and they went very fast — he’s got a turn of foot.
“He won in France and he had a penalty for this so he was the best horse in the race. I would say that [Nunthorpe at York on August 21] is exactly where we’ll go.”
Meanwhile, ruthless as he is in his quest for success, Emirati handler Saeed Bin Surour was still searching for a first winner at this year’s Glorious Goodwood meeting after the much-fancied Basem could only finish fourth in the featured Betfred Mile handicap on Friday.
Sent off as a 7/1 favourite in the popular mile contest, the four-year-old son of Pivotal failed to replicate his impressive Celebration Mile (G2) performance at Sandown, as So Beloved lived up to his name when streaking home to win from this year’s Meydan victor Belgian Bill.
Basem, who races in the famous Godolphin silks, is a highly-regarded full brother to 2013 Champion Stakes (G1) sensation Farhh, who was also trained by Bin Surour.
The long-serving Godolphin handler has a good record at the Festival — with 19 wins since Tamayaz opened the floodgates in 1995, and 71 overall wins at the track many believe is the most beautiful racecourse in the world.
Daniel Tudhope, who was notching his first success at Glorious Goodwood, said So Beloved now deserved to take his chance at Group level.
Meanwhile, Jassim Al Ghazali claimed a piece of history when he saddled Dubday to win the Group 3 Glorious Stakes, becoming the first Qatari handler to score at the famous meeting.
The winner triumphed by three-quarters of a length from the David Simcock-trained The Corsican.
Al Ghazali was over the moon with his achievement, saying: “I am very happy today. This is my first winner in England. It is a big winner for me and it the fact that it has come at the Qatar Goodwood Festival makes it extra special.
“This win is for the whole of Qatar and the horse is one of the favourites of Shaikh Joaan Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. I thank him for giving me the chance to come here and run my horses.”
The trainer also revealed that he will be targeting more races in England in the future.
“I hope to bring 30 horses to the UK next year and, God willing, I’ll have some as good as Dubday.”
