LANCASTER Bomber finished an honourable fourth in the Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan.

Aidan O'Brien's Dewhurst and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up travelled in mid-division and looked like he could play a part in the finish at the top of the straight, only to stay on at one pace, as Thunder Snow got up in the shadow of the post to deny Japanese raider Epicharis.

Winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas on his dirt debut, Thunder Snow appeared to have everything under control as he travelled up to the quarters of Epicharis. However, inside the final furlong, Thunder Snow jinked to his right, catching Christophe Soumillon off balance and handing the initiative to his Far East rival.

To his immense credit, Thunder Snow knuckled down again, regained top speed and narrowly prevailed in a photo to give Saeed bin Suroor an eighth win in the race.

"It wasn't an easy race, but the horse is a champion," said Bin Suroor. "He was a Group 1 winner in France, won the Guineas here and to win the UAE Derby is great. The jockey gave him a brilliant ride."

Victory means he is automatically qualified for the Kentucky Derby but Bin Suroor would not be drawn on future targets. He said: "We'll talk to Sheikh Mohammed before making any plans."

Soumillon, recording a double after Vazirabad in the Dubai Gold Cup, said: "He gave me a great sensation when he won the Group 1 at Saint-Cloud, he has good gate speed and was wide awake tonight.

"When he came into the straight I thought I had a lot of horse under me and that he would win easily, but he got scared and changed legs. All credit to the horse, he concentrated when it mattered and got up, showing me he is a champion with a big heart. I was always confident beforehand, even after the draw."

Bin Suroor added: "I talked to Sheikh Mohammed straight after the race because he is in the Kentucky Derby, the 2000 Guineas and the English Derby, so all options are open.

"I think he's very special for the future this horse. We gave him a break after the Guineas here and five days ago he was absolutely brilliant in his work, he looked a little green but the jockey was very good on him.

"It's a great result for Godolphin to win the Guineas and the Derby. He could be something very special for the future."