HORSES, especially two-year-olds, returning from a long lay-off in group races and running to their expectations can be a tough task.

This was the case for favourite Shuwari (Ollie Sangster/Oisin Murphy) in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes as she settled for a good second on her first start since beating Fallen Angel, a subsequent Group 1 winner, in the Listed Star Stakes at Sandown in July.