Zaaki declared for Newmarket

Zaaki has been declared for Friday’s bet365 Handicap at Newmarket, despite being amongst the favourites for York’s John Smith’s Cup.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained charge is around 10/1 with most bookmakers to win Saturday’s feature race at the Knavesmire, but it’s not certain that he will get into the field at York.

So connections have also declared the three-year-old for Newmarket’s 1m 2f contest on Friday, with Zaaki given top weight with Ryan Moore booked to ride at Racing HQ.

Zaaki’s last run came at Royal Ascot when he finished third to Hunting Horn in the Hampton Court Stakes, with his one win of 2018 coming over the short trip of 7f 218y at Thirsk in April. 

Meanwhile, Mark Johnston has picked two of his five potential runners for the Newmarket handicap, with Poet´s Prince (pictured with J Fanning) and Comminque declared for Friday’s Class 2 contest.

The John Gosden colt Wissahickon has won his last two races, including a Class 2 race at York last month, is expected to be popular in the betting ring, especially with Frankie Dettori on board.