Thunder Snow runner-up in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three

Thunder Snow kept on to finish a clear second behind North America in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge – Round Three Sponsored By Emirates Airline over 10 furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE, on Super Saturday, 10 March.

The four-year-old son of Helmet, who had previously gained a neck verdict over the same horse in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two over half a furlong shorter on 8 February, was pushed along leaving the stalls by Oisin Murphy to race in a close fifth of the 12 runners.

Having moved up to fourth with six furlongs to race, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt stayed on to take second leaving the back straight.

Thunder Snow tried to challenge but could make no impression from the distance on North America, who made all to score by five and a quarter lengths over the Godolphin runner in a new course record time of 2m 1.71s, with a further three and three quarter lengths back to Furia Cruzada.