Sharjah’s most prestigious race of the season, the Dh150,000 Ruler Of Sharjah Cup, a 1,700m conditions race afforded Prestige status, was turned into a procession by Abhaar.

– Al Marri ‘shocked’ by FEI ban on EEF
– #Quiz360: Win group paintball trip

Trained by Salem Al Ketbi, he had won all four career starts prior to this and made his dirt debut a winning one, despite struggling to handle the turn into the straight.

The horse seemed intent on heading for the nearside rail but Tadhg O’Shea soon corrected him and they ran on strongly, finishing a dozen lengths clear.

The 2,700m Sharjah marathon was the main support race with both Swyft and Fantastique MHF seeking to win for a second time.

The latter, sporting the blue and white of Sheikh Hamdan, tried to make all but had no answer to the same owner’s Zaffaan, who swept past him early in the straight.

The only Thoroughbred race on the card, a 2,000m conditions contest, was won in gutsy fashion by Famous Warrior under Sam Hitchcott for trainer Doug Watson.

Clear on the home turn, Hitchcott’s mount was visibly tiring entering the straight but just had enough left to hold off the late challenge of Al Nassa.

Watson was soon back in the winner’s enclosure to greet stable jockey Pat Dobbs, who posted a comfortable victory on Kokomo, in a 1,700m maiden.

AZ Laheeb and Shane Karlsson won the opening 1,200m maiden. Trained by Saleha Al Ghurair, Karlsson’s mount was winning at the 15th time of asking.