Varian’s Zaajirah looks a banker at Newcastle
Zaajirah can start to make up for lost time with a triumphant return at Newcastle following an absence of 156 days.
The Shadwell Estate home-bred filly has only had three career starts so far, but is unexposed and the best could still be to come.
She made a winning debut at Kempton in October 2020 and stepped straight into Pattern company for her three-year-old bow in April. She finished down the field in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury won by the top-class Alcohol Free, but there was no disgrace in that.
Her only subsequent run came in June back on the all-weather at Kempton, where she was only beaten a length into third place behind Renaissance Rose.
Zaajirah was sent off the 6-4 favourite and looked an unlucky loser, having been denied a clear run over a furlong out.
She will no doubt be primed by trainer Roger Varian for her comeback and a big run can be expected in the MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.
Starbo has a good chance of finally getting his head in front in the MansionBet Proud Partners Of AWC Handicap.
The closest the four-year-old gelding has come in 13 starts was over this mile just three weeks ago, when he was only collared in the dying strides by Vintage Polly, who prevailed by a short head.
That must have been agonising for connections, but Simon Whitaker appears to have found a suitable opportunity for the son of Starspangledbanner to go one better.
Burj Malinka can open his account in the MansionBet Beaten By A Head Novice Median Auction Stakes, following an encouraging first run for Adrian Nicholls.
Beaten in four races in Ireland, the Pride Of Dubai gelding only found Biplane half a length too strong over this seven furlongs on his first outing for three months.
Edwardstone can make it second time lucky over fences in the Jewson Stan Mellor Memorial Novices’ Chase at Warwick.
Trainer Alan King gave the useful hurdler a try over the bigger obstacles at Doncaster in December, but he only got as far as the fourth fence where he unseated his rider.
His confidence over hurdles was not dented as he won next time out at Market Rasen, was third in the Betfair Hurdle and ran creditably at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.