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Sharestan out of luck in Meydan

Sharestan with Johnny Murtagh up, in his days with John Oxx Sharestan with Johnny Murtagh up, in his days with John Oxx
© Photo Healy Racing

The Apache made a triumphant return after a year off to take the scalps of his rivals in the Al Rashidiya Sponsored by DUBAL at Meydan.

It was straight forward for the Mike De Kock-trained 12-1 winner while the 8-13 favourite Sharestan had no luck in running and had to settle for third place.

Christophe Soumillon had the lightly-raced The Apache well positioned early on behind the pace-setting Do It All in this Group Two over nine furlongs.

When a gap appeared in the straight, the six-year-old was able to take it and settle the issue by three-quarters of a length.

City Style held on for second while Godolphin's Sharestan, who had been trapped on the rails for most of the race, was a never-nearer third under Silvestre de Sousa, a further two and a quarter lengths away.

"The horses have taken their time to come right because of all the travelling," said De Kock.

"It was a good race, Sharestan was very impressive last time and looked a big danger.

"This is a good horse, he'll improve still for this, I'm very proud of him."

De Kock also struck with Rerouted (6-1), part-owned by golfer Lee Westwood, who collared Van Ellis close home to take the DUBAL Casthouse Trophy Handicap, also ridden by Soumillon.

A third winner on the card for South African trainer De Kock was 13-8 favourite Mushreq, ridden by Paul Hanagan, in the DUBAL Billet Trophy Handicap.

Ascot specialist Medicean Man (14-1), trained by Jeremy Gask, powered to victory under Harry Bentley from Michael Halford's Russian Soul in the DUBAL Excellence Trophy Handicap.

"It panned out well for him, there was always going to be a lot of speed in the race which is always a help to him because he always finishes strongly," said Bentley.

"I think he'll be aimed at Super Saturday."