Tailor's Row makes it two wins in two as he clinches Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup

Salem bin Ghadayer-trained six-year-old holds off challenge of Mudallel

Royston Ffrench aboard Tailor’s Row after winning the HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup 2,000m dirt at Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National 

Tailor’s Row clinched the Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup to complete back-to-back wins.

Ridden by Royston Ffrench, the six-year-old Street Cry gelding trained by Salem bin Ghadayer held off a late challenge from Fernando Jara on Mudallel to cross the finishing line half-a-length in front at Sharjah Racecourse.

Sando Paiva atop Edaraat set the early pace with Ffrench content to sit behind .

Jara made his move on Mudallel 500 metres out joined by Tailor’s Row and the pair raced clear on the home stretch in a battle to the line.

Tailor’s Row, who was an impressive winner at Jebel Ali last week, stayed on the stronger while his stablemate Montsarat under Xavier Ziani finished strongly from the chasing pack to take third.

Jara had earlier ridden a double that included the featured Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup for Purebred Arabians on board Jawaal, completing a two-timer for the Emirati trainer Majed Al Jahouri.

The 2007 Dubai World Cup-winning Panamanian jockey chased the leaders before taking up the running approaching the final furlong to win from the Eric Lemartinel-trained Dhafra and another Al Jahouri runner Shawal.

Jara had steered Fandim to take the second race, his second success in 13 career starts.

Richard Mullen was among the winners from the three other races on board Jaci Wickham’s Wakeel W’Rsan.

“I’m really pleased for Jaci Wickham,” Mullen said. “She doesn’t have the strongest horses but she’s a good trainer.

“I had a willing partner today who travelled very well throughout the race. I had a nice position throughout the race. I was sitting second, third on the rail. I just angled out to get a clear run.

“My horse dug deep because he was still a baby. When he hit the front, he was looking at everything in front at the grandstand and the big screen. But when he had to put his head down he battled hard."