Mullins-trained gelding emulates
Hurricane Fly and IstabraqWinner cut to 10-1 for Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham FestivalSharjah left it late at Leopardstown on Wednesday but the most reliable
Christmas bet of recent seasons eventually delivered for his backers, edging a neck in front of Zanahiyr to win the Grade One Matheson Hurdle for the fourth time and emulate Istabraq and Hurricane Fly, two of jumping’s all-time greats, as he did so.
![Sharjah joins list of Irish greats with four-timer in Matheson Hurdle](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/81f7c280b141950dcde9fe75a04ade347027681f/121_141_3798_2280/master/3798.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=df09226328e7b330ab01945ff40be00e)
Sharjah was favourite for two-mile contest for the first time in his career, having started at 6-1, 9-2 and 11-2 for his three previous successes, but he was only fourth turning for home and needed some encouragement from Patrick Mullins to launch his challenge.