Dubai: Mutarakez earned himself a trip to this year’s Royal Ascot extravaganza after running out a compelling winner of the bet365 Esher Cup (Handicap) at Sandown Park yesterday (Friday).

Ridden confidently by Frankie Dettori, the Brian Meehan-trained colt accelerated when asked for his effort, before drawing away to post a two and three quarter length victory over Shaakis ridden by Martin Dwyer for Marcus Tregoning.

Both horses are owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, whose three-year-old string is in rude health.

“He is a lovely horse who looked green at Doncaster last year when he won,” Meehan told Racing UK. “He looked a little bit green again today, but he picked up well up the straight and is a nice horse with a big future.

“I would have thought he would be the sort of type for the Britannia [Stakes].”

The Britannia Stakes is a handicap run at Royal Ascot over (1,600 metres) and is scheduled to take place on the third day of the meeting on June 18.

Meanwhile, Custom Cut, who strung together four wins for trainer David O’Meara last season, landed the Group 2 bet365 Mile under Daniel Tudhope.

Custom Cut tracked Godolphin’s Bow Creek, a smart winner of the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood last August, before taking over the running and holding his own when challenged by Here Comes When, the mount of Jim Crowley.

The winner crossed the line a length and a half in front of Here Comes When.

“He’s every jockey’s dream as he travels well and gives you everything. He tries his heart out every time,” said Tudhope.

“He’s an improving horse and did well last season. It’s a good start to this season and hopefully he can keep going.

“He had a hard campaign last year and his final run you can put behind him. I think Group Ones are probably on the agenda.

“He switches off, which will give him every chance to stay a mile and a quarter.”

Earlier, the John Gosden-trained Western Hymn won a strong renewal of the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes.

Postponed, owned by Derby winner Shaikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum, was three-quarters of a length back in second and Cannock Chase, running in the colours of Dubai businessman Saeed Suhail, third.

“I’m just happy to see the horse back,” said Gosden. “He’s been off a long time, he got stuck in the mud at Deauville and it was pretty bad at Ascot in the big race there, so it’s good to have him back and see him running his race.

“He’s come here in good form and showed his class and we can now look towards races like the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot).

“We’ll put him in that as it closes on Tuesday and Frankie seemed to think he would get a mile and a half.

“He’s much more professional since we gelded him but he’s still full of character.”