in rear, never near leaders
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, heavily eased final furlong, virtually pulled up
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression
pulled hard in rear
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, soon headed, one pace final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, soon led and edged left, ridden out
dwelt, keen headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced wide, close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
SPIRIT OF SHARJAH ended last year in terrific form winning a Listed race at Kempton in December with no less than five of today's rivals behind. Julia Feilden had him ready to strike on his reappearance last season and he's taken to continue his winning ways today. Duff, Angel's Pursuit and Atlantic Story finished closest to him last time but they had no excuses and will do well to turn the tables here. The front-running Malcheek ran below par behind the selection earlier in December but has won at Southwell since, while Dunelight arrived fit from racing in Dubai when winning this last year but is returning from a lay-off this time round.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Steadied start and switched to rail, in rear, headway and switched right well over 1f out, led inside final furlong kept on well, won at Kempton 7f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec beating Mosqueras Romance (8-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Angel's Pursuit (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Waveband (8-9) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Atlantic Story (USA) 7-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, went 2nd over 2f out until well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Brave Prospector (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Feb.
Beauchamp Viceroy 16-1 (9-0) Keen tracked winner, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra near finish, 8th of 12, 2l behind Waveband (8-9) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Bohemian Melody 9-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway under strong pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Mac's Power (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sep.
Desert Creek (IRE) 5-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along halfway weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off, last of 19, well behind Justonefortheroad (8-7) at York 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Docofthebay (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged right and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Nightjar (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Dec.
Duff (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, effort inside final furlong when carried head awkwardly, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Waveband (8-9) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Dunelight (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Pitched as stalls opened, slowly away, in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 14, 9l behind Delegator (9-2) at Newbury 7f Listed stks (1) gd in Sep.
Elna Bright 25-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on never nearer, 7th of 12, 2l behind Waveband (8-9) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Freeforaday (USA) (8-11) 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Rushing Dasher (8-13) at Saint Moritz(SWI) 5f stks hrd in Feb.
Malcheek (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard ridden when strongly challenged inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp (2) fbs in Dec beating Nightjar (8-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
