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Sun 28 Jan 2024
WINNER 6 OF 2024: PRINCE OF ZENDA, trained by Hugo Palmer and ridden by Brandon Wilkie (-5): The 'Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With Betuk Apprentice Handicap' over 6f at Newcastle.
A winner 13 days ago at Lingfield, this was his first trip to Newcastle. The market was all about The Caltonian, who is currently the winning most horse in the AW Championship....
He was keen to post, but that's just him. Breaking well, he was soon at the head of the field and bowling along, without going a blistering pace. Well clear at halfway, he switched closer to the near side 2f out. Ridden at the1f marker, he kept on well and unchallenged, was eased towards the finish winning by 2 and a 1/4 lengths, with the favourite back in second.
"Prince Of Zenda's away and gone!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/27-January-2024/1915
Brandon said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He really took me on down to the start! He's bounced out and the plan was to try and get a bit of cover but nobody else wanted to go. I knew we weren't going too quick, so I let him enjoy himself ploughing along in front."
See the official photographs, here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C245150604/newcastle
Timeform rated it as a career best t95 performance, commenting: "Made all, went with zest, went clear halfway, edged right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, comfortably."
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to his owners on a stunning win - it was great to be at Newcastle last night to help them celebrate with champagne! That was a good well judged ride by Brendan when the plans went awry - they bossed the race and nothing was getting to them. We go for the hat-trick next! "