MOST EXPENSIVE HORSE FAILS

The most expensive horse to grace a British racecourse has been soundly beaten on his debut.

Jalil, bought by the Godolphin stable for $9.7m (£5.2m), could finish only sixth of 13 runners at Newmarket.

Frankie Dettori was never able to challenge on the Storm Cat colt, a 4-6 odds-on favourite in the Grand Prix White St Moritz SEB Maiden Stakes.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "It was disappointing, although Frankie says he has a beautiful (racing) action."

Jalil ran close to the pace set by the eventual winner Sam Lord (12-1) in the early stages, but began to struggle two furlongs out.

Bin Suroor said the horse is likely to be given another outing before the end of the season.

"Both Frankie and Kerrin McEvoy have been riding him in the mornings and he's improved with every gallop, but perhaps he still needed this and he will definitely improve," he said.

"He seems more of a three-year-old and we have no complains about the ground. There is no plan, but we might give him another race this season."

Jalil, which means majesty in Arabic, is the fourth most expensive yearling sold at auction.

His owner Sheikh Mohammed will be hoping he has not acquired another Snaafi Dancer, the horse who attracted what was then a record price of $8.25m, only to never see the racecourse.