Safety Check repeated last year's victory in the Al Fahidi Fort when forging clear in the Group Two at Meydan.

William Buick was content to sit Godolphin's five-year-old off the pace as Ghaamer and Mastermind set a strong pace before producing him with a telling challenge in the straight.

Leading just inside the final furlong, Safety Check (4-6 favourite) bounded away to score comfortably from Harry's Son, with Mastermind clinging on for third.

He is now on course to go for the Zabeel Mile at Meydan next month, which he won in 2015.

Appleby said: "I was delighted with that performance. I don't think he'll improve a lot as we had him pretty straight fitness-wise for tonight.

"They've gone a good, solid gallop. It was ideal for him as he likes something to aim at - he has a good turn of foot.

"Training-wise he thrives out here, but the pace and style of the races here suit him. I'm confident on a turning track on good ground that he's a force to be reckoned with.

"He'll go for the Zabeel Mile next like last year. There's not much on turf after that. Whether we look to dropping him back in trip, I don't know or whether we'll have one spin round here on the dirt.

"We'll get past the Zabeel Mile first and have a look after that."

Buick said: "He's a legend, he's a stable favourite.

"It was tricky tonight. There was such a strong pace on. He usually travels very well, but was taken out of his comfort zone a bit early.

"It was a bit difficult to know when to push the button because he has got that electric turn of foot, but it doesn't last very long. He's got the job done.

"It was more like a sprint than a seven-furlong race. It was a very good performance from a very good horse."

[www.attheraces.com]