Abbey drawn in middle for Sheema St Nicholas Abbey will break from stall six in the Dubai Sheema Classic as he bids to improve on last year's second place finish. Aidan O'Brien's six year old has been drawn towards the middle of the 11 runner field and could be well berthed if last year's result is anything to go by. The first three home 12 months ago came from boxes eight, nine and seven with Cirrus Des Aigles edging out St Nicholas Abbey with Jakkalberry back in third. Neither of that pair are in the line-up again but a top-class field includes 2011 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Shareta racing from stall one with fellow French globe trotter Dunaden on the outside in 10 and former Ballydoyle stablemate Await The Dawn who is now in the care of Mike de Kock. Royal Diamond represents Tommy Carmody and Girolamo hails from Peter Schiergen's yard while Saeed bin Suroor will saddle both Prince Bishop and Sharestan. According to the bookmakers, the runner that they will all have to beat is the Japanese superstar filly Gentildonna who beat Orfevre in the Japan Cup last November.
