Christophe Lemaire boots home Japanese-trained treble at Riyadh

Christophe Lemaire won the first three races on the Saudi Cup card at Riyadh on Japanese-trained raiders, with the French jockey guiding Authority, Songline and Stay Foolish to Group Three victories.

The Tetsuya Kimura-trained Authority made every yard of the running to claim the Neom Turf Cup, with the five-year-old sent off the 2-1 joint-favourite for the extended 10-furlong event on the back of his second place behind Contrail in the Japan Cup in November.

Smartly away, Lemaire soon had Authority bowling along in front with Michael Stoute's Solid Stone tracking him through the early exchanges, while leading fellow joint-favourite Pyledriver was forced to race out wide after being drawn 14 of 14 runners.

He was clearly in trouble at the top of the straight and quickly back-pedalled, leaving Frankie Dettori to try to mount a challenge aboard the John and Thady Gosden-trained Harrovian.

But Authority just had too much in hand and was always holding him, with Kaspar swooping late to grab the runner-up prize.

American raider Channel Cat dramatically came down in the straight when trying to mount his challenge. Thankfully he galloped away, while jockey Joel Rosario was passed fit to take his remaining rides.

Lemaire said: "I could settle the pace the way I wanted without any pressure and then he used his long acceleration. He did the same in Japan. His strength made the difference.

"I knew he could stay the trip very well. The ground is firm and drawn two I knew I he would be very relaxed over the 2100 metres."

Kimura was thrilled with the win, but is already focusing on Authority’s next target – the Sheema Classic at Meydan in a month’s time.

He said: "When he is in good shape he always takes a prominent position early. Today he