Rookie handler Mahmood Al Zarooni found a sleepy Wednesday afternoon at Pontefract an ideal opportunity to send out his first British winner for Godolphin.
Al Zarooni's Lion Mountain was bustled into an early lead during the Coral TV Maiden Stakes, and Ted Durcan raised a few eyebrows when he went for the jugular as early as the two-furlong marker.
Durcan was aware of the potential beneath him, however, and maintained a vigorous gallop to pull six lengths clear of Raqeeb.
Al Zarooni, speaking from Ascot, where his Mojave Moon finished last in the Sagaro Stakes, said: "It's a good start for us and I'm very happy. Unfortunately I had to be at Ascot for the bigger race, but we've only had a few runners and this is only the beginning."
Of the 5-6 favourite, the 33-year-old Al Zarooni added: "He's always shown us to be a happy horse at home and I expected him to win."
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