Newcastle winner Zarwaan.
Zarwaan finally gained reward for a host of commendable efforts when landing the seven furlong handicap at Newcastle on Saturday, defying the welter burden of ten stone to come with a sustained late challenge under Paul Hanagan.
Having landed a six furlong maiden at two, Zarwaan had plied his trade admirably in leading handicap company as a three-year-old, finishing second in the Silver Bowl at Haydock and fifth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot having met trouble in running.
He continued that theme in the early part of this season, running sixth in the Lincoln when not getting home over a mile and seventh in the Victoria Cup having sat too close to the ferocious early fractions in a race where it paid to be held up.
We had originally planned to run this horse in the Wokingham, but very firm ground on the final day of the Royal meeting scuppered that plan. While the ground was quickening up at Newcastle, it was deemed safe for him to run, and he vindicated that decision by beating Lulu The Zulu by a head, appreciating the switch to hold-up tactics.
Given the early fractions were steady enough in that contest, we think Zarwaan was value for more than the winning margin, and we will try and land a prestigious pot with him. He holds entries in the Bunbury Cup and the International Handicap, both of which are over seven furlongs, while we are not adverse to trying six furlongs again, with races like the Stewards’ Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup of interest.
Congratulations to Sheikh Hamdan and all of the team at Shadwell.