MASTER of Hounds edged out Archbishop after a thrilling stretch duel to win the $606,913 International Topkapi Trophy (Tur-G2), one of two international group stakes on Sunday at Veliefendi Race Course in Istanbul.

Christophe Soumillon.

This was a second successive win of the race for owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum following victory with Musir in the 2010 renewal. Master of Hounds won by a neck from fellow U.S.-bred Archbishop while making his first start since finishing eighth in the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 31 at Meydan Racecourse, and his first for Newmarket-based trainer William Haggas. Prior to the World Cup, he won the Emirates Jebel Hatta (UAE-G1) in March at Meydan for Mike de Kock.

Christophe Soumillon settled Master of Hounds in second behind pacesetter Fast Stars Line. The colt was urged to the lead nearing the 200-meter mark and dug in when called upon to hold back fast-finishing Archbishop. –thoroughbredtimes.com.