FIFTH in a premier handicap at the Curragh on his last start, Simsir thrilled the locals when he held off the challenge of Global Giant and last year’s Irish Derby winner Sovereign to cause a mild upset in the second running of the £500,000 Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir racecourse.

Owned and trained in Bahrain by Fawzi Nass, the four-year-Simsir, bred and previously raced by HH Aga Khan, won twice in Ireland last September and then added a further victory when successful over 10 furlongs at Meydan in February. Trained by Michael Halford, he was runner-up in listed races at Meydan and Leopardstown.