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Dolniya leads home fellow Frech raider Flintshire in Sheema Classic

Dolniya scoops one of the world's biggest races less than a year after making her racecourse debut
Dolniya scoops one of the world's biggest races less than a year after making her racecourse debut

Dolniya led home a one-two for French-trained horses as she defeated Flintshire in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Christophe Soumillon, completing a double after his success on Mubtaahij in the UAE Derby, enjoyed a perfect run on the rail as the Charlie Hills-trained Just The Judge made the running.

Very few horses got into the mile-and-a-half Group One as Dolniya (7-1), trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, burst clear a furlong out.

She got first run on Flintshire, whom she had beaten on the Polytrack at Chantilly earlier this month, to win tidily.

Soumillon said: "I was a bit scared with that draw we had as she always stays in the gates for one or two seconds.

"I'm very happy with what she did."

Royer-Dupre said: "The filly is in very good condition and has improved a lot from a three-year-old.

"It was not a surprise, but it was difficult to go against Flintshire.

"We have to think about the Arc. I think she's much better on better ground."

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