Hit The Bid third in Meydan Sprint

Hit The Bid will be aimed at the Al Quoz Sprint on March 31 after running a cracker to finish third in the Group Two Meydan Sprint in Dubai.

A course-and-distance winner in a handicap two weeks ago, Darren Bunyan's colt stepped up in class and beat all bar Ertijaal and Blue Point.

Bunyan said: "I'm absolutely delighted with him. When you look at the first two - Ertijaal's a superstar and Blue Point was a top-rated sprinter last year and we're hanging on to the back of him.

"Oisin (Murphy) said when he came in the horse was just lacking that experience of battling with Group One horses. When he wasn't going to win, he minded him. He didn't give him an unnecessary hard race.

"Oisin was very happy with him and so was I. They didn't pull away from him when Oisin wasn't hard on him.

"All being well, he'll stay here for World Cup night. He will come forward a lot for the run. He was 99 per cent, fitness-wise, but mentally he would have learnt a lot because there's a massive difference from battling with handicappers, Group Three and Group Two horses to battling with proper Group One horses."

Jim Crowley had to roust Ertijaal to get to the front after he missed the kick. After that, the 8-15 shot was in control and with fitness on his side, he was able to hold Blue Point's late charge by a head, as Charlie Appleby's four-year-old emerged with credit on his first start for 138 days.

Despite the defeat, Blue Point was cut to favouritism at 6-4 from 11-4 for the Al Quoz with Paddy Power, while Ertijaal lost his place as market leader, being eased out to 9-4 from 6-4.

Appleby is looking forward to stepping his charge back up to six furlongs, and told www.godolphin.com: "We were very pleased with the performance of Blue Point.

"We felt beforehand that he would come on for his seasonal return and he has lost nothing in defeat.

"He has galloped out strongly tonight and six furlongs at Meydan is going to suit, so all roads will now lead to the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night."