Zaahid can make up for Lincoln failure

Apr 19 2008 The Journal

BACKERS of Zaahid at Doncaster last month had their fingers well and truly burned and will be looking to recover losses in the Bloor Homes Spring Cup at Newbury today.

Ante-post favourite for the Lincoln, Barry Hills’ colt failed to make the cut for the main attraction, however, and ended up running in the consolation event, the Spring Mile, for which he, not surprisingly, also headed the market.

But when the chips were down, he could make no impression on the easy winner Don’t Panic who has since been beaten though not disgraced on a return visit to Doncaster. Zaahid was second home on the stands’ group but only fourth overall as a couple of rivals on the other side were ahead of him at the line.

It’s to be hoped he will come on for the run and, while he may need a shade further, he has to be given the benefit of the doubt.

I sense a big threat in the shape of the veteran Mine, though. The remarkable 10-year-old showed he still has an appetite for the game when a staying-on sixth to Smokey Oakey in the Lincoln and you feel there is still another decent prize to be won with him over a straight mile.

Muthabara has been the subject of glowing reports on her homework and she has carry that over to the racetrack in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, formerly the Fred Darling Stakes, to justify her position in the 1,000 Guineas betting. Nahoodh, winner of the Group Two Lowther Stakes at York last season, will expose any flaws in Muthabara’s make-up.

THREE stables in Norton, Malton, are to stage an open day on Sunday, April 27. Brian Ellison at Spring Cottage and Tim Etherington at Wold House, both on Langton Road, will open their doors to the public from 9.30am to 1pm as will Julie Camacho at nearby Star Cottage on Weltham Road.

Admission to all three yards is £5 but children under the age of 12 are free. Proceeds will go to Malton Hospital and the Spring Cottage Residential Home for the elderly.