Godolphin came into the Gr.2 Bosphorous Cup with Campanologist as their third runner of the Festival having been out of luck twice on Saturday.

But it was not to be their day as Indian Days and Alan Munro denied the six year-old a first win for over a year by a narrow margin. A second triumph of the Festival for the jockey following his win yesterday in the Anatolia Trophy, it was also a Bosphorus double for James Given’s son of Daylami, having beaten Sri Putra under the same jockey twelve months ago.

Once it was decided who was to make the running following a good break by Halicarnassus and the German-trained Superstition, it was Inspector who set an even pace, allowing these two to settle in behind with Campanologist and Afsare staying in mid-division.

As they turned for home and the field fanned out Inspector and Superstition had a clear run up the straight followed by Halicarnassus and Campanologist on the outside. Munro began his run aiming for a gaping hole between the two groups but the space narrowed forcing Munro’s mount to lose his stride.

This left Campanologist with a distinct advantage as he raced towards the line but with evident determination Indian Days got back in the game and powered to the finish with just a neck to spare.

Superstition and Afsare fought it out for second, Luca Cumani’s colt winning out, also by a neck. Halicarnassus and local jockey Halis Karatas put in a good effort but could manage no better than fifth.

Today’s win brings Munro’s Festival tally to five and Indian Days became only the fourth horse to win back-to-back Bosphorus Cup’s. The only other European horse to have achieved this feat was Hans Albert Blume’s Senex in 2004 and 2005.

A clearly delighted Munro commented after the race, “Riding horses like this with a big heart is really inspiring.”

No doubt a fan of Veliefendi by now he added, “I like it here. It’s a very fair track and the jockeys are very good.”

Munro’s victory today was his third in the Bosphorus Cup, having also won it on Halicarnassus in 2009.

Owner David Fish, responding to whether Indian Days would return for a third shot at the Cup, thought it highly unlikely with a tilt at the Hong Kong Vase (in which he finished 9th of 13) the next option.”

Given added, “We went there last year but as the invitation arrived only two weeks before the races we had little time to prepare. The conditions at home weren’t good, especially with snow on the ground.

“We thought about going to Milan but, if we’re invited again of course, we will have more time to prepare.”