Global Storm blows hot at Meydan

Global Storm gained reward for several good efforts in defeat with a resolute victory in the opening 12-furlong turf handicap on week five of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 11 February.

The Night Of Thunder five-year-old, who had placed in competitive handicaps at Royal Ascot and Newmarket’s July Festival in 2021, soon tracked the leaders on the inside rail as Kingswear made the early running.

William Buick had to briefly wait to deliver Global Storm in the straight as Volcanic Sky, Global Heat and Bin Battuta all challenged for the lead approaching the final furlong.

Global Storm stayed on strongly between horses to take up the running half a furlong from home and hit the line well to prevail by half a length over Alignak, with Volcanic Sky holding on for third.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Global Storm’s work at home has been good. He was fresh coming into the race and, if you pick out the bones of his best European form, he was going to be a big player tonight.

“He was showing his wellness at home and William got himself a nice pitch. William said it was a little messy in the straight, so he had to find his gap, but in fairness it probably suited the horse because he likes having something to run at.”

William Buick said: “Global Storm has been a little unlucky a couple of times when things haven’t fallen his way. He has run some great races in defeat and has won a couple of good races.

“I was really pleased with him tonight. It got a bit messy at the top of the straight, but he showed his quality and his grit. He is a very honest horse. “I know Global Storm has run well over a mile and six furlongs but he is equally as good over a mile and a half.”