Invasor proves he's World class

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Invasor got the better of a thrilling battle with

Premium Tap to land the $6million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained five-year-old hit the front inside the final

furlong under Fernando Jara after fellow American raider Premium Tap had put in

a game attempt to win from the front.

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Bullish Luck was third for Hong Kong, but Godolphin's Discreet Cat was hugely

disappointing and finished last of the seven runners.

The ice-cool Jara settled his mount in third on the outside as Premium Tap

burst out of the stalls - having initially been reluctant to enter them - and

set the early gallop, with Japanese runner Vermilion tracking him.

Frankie Dettori had Discreet Cat at the rear of the field on his first try at

the 10-furlong trip before attempting to make a move on the turn for home.

Invasor was on the shoulder of Premium Tap on the bend, but the distress

signals were soon evident for Dettori as he struggled in vain to put Discreet

Cat in the race.

That left Invasor and Premium Tap to fight it out over the final two furlongs,

with the runner-up giving his all before the highest-rated horse in the world

eventually found an extra gear to pull clear.

"The Maktoum family are great sports and great people - it's a joy to come

back here with the World Cup favourite for Sheikh Hamdan because he's a great

man and a great owner," said McLaughlin, speaking on Sky Sports.

"He has been my biggest supporter since I came here and went on my own, but

the whole family have supported me so it's a great place to come and win the

world's richest race."

McLaughlin insisted he had "never" doubted his horse's ability, but was also

quick to hail Premium Tap's performance.

He added: "I saw him (Jara) looking around and I knew he had a lot of horse,

but Premium Tap dug in and ran very well and I was a little worried from the

quarter pole to the eighth pole because he was digging in. But he won in the

end."

William Hill make Invasor their 3-1 favourite for the Breeders' Cup Classic at

Monmouth Park later in the year, with Paddy Power 5-2 and Coral as big as 6-1,

but McLaughlin said he had not thought beyond this race.

"March 31 was a big date for us - we haven't thought beyond that - but we

will see how he cools out and think about it then," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone - it's a big team effort."

Jara added: "It feels great, I can't believe it yet. To win this race is very

special.

"I knew I had a lot of horse and he was going very well."