Trainer Julian Smart's hard work on the erratic and temperamental Tidjam Lotois finally paid off when Richard Mullen rode him to a fine victory in the Second Round of the Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians, sponsored by Al Rostamani Group, here yesterday.

Tidjam Lotois, who was banned after dangerously veering off when leading during a race last season in the capital, was also withdrawn twice at the starter's gates. However Smart worked on Tidjam who seemed rehabilitated when he completed two races earlier this season.But last night the five-year-old son of Tidjani finally delivered when he answered Richard Mullen's call to outclass a strong field which included Kahayla winner Bopp Moon and Velte, winner of the Maktoum Challenge First Round apart from some highly fancied runners like Daffaq, Van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes.

The win completed a hat-trick in this event for Smart, who won this race with Saklawi Jadrane last year and with Nez D'Or in 2002.

Erwan Charpy's Daffaq (Richard Hills astride) took over the early lead from Tidjam's stablemate Kahzo and stayed ahead for most of the race while Mullen had to push hard on the winner which was way behind. However, Mullen kept Tidjam near the rails and when approaching the 500 metre mark seized the gap provided by Bopp Moon while Daffaq was still in front with Van Nistelrooy also making his move from the outside.

Once inside the 400 metre mark, Mullen drove Tidjam to the front and just kept moving on. Tidjam gave a slight scare when he shifted but the lead was enough for Mullen to taste his first victory in a Maktoum Challenge race.

Bopp Moon (Willie Supple up) more than made up for his two poor runs to take second place with the fast-finishing Van Nistelrooy (Ted Durcan up) in third. The consistent Daffaq finished fourth.