Newcastle: 'He's got plenty of ability' - Appleby sweet on Zealot after another win

Wednesday: Newcastle

Mick Appleby believes there will be more winning opportunities for Zealot after the five-year-old stepped up in trip to land the 1m2f handicap.

Zealot was trying the distance for the first time, but looked more than comfortable when finishing two and a quarter lengths clear of Crystal Delight under in-form jockey Billy Loughnane.

It was Zealot’s fifth win in seven starts since joining Appleby from Eve Johnson Houghton last year, and the winning trainer feels there is still more to come.

Appleby said: "I wasn’t sure if he’d stay, but he did it well and Billy gave him a good ride. He was a bit slow away, but that’s normal and winning over this distance opens up a few more doors for us.

"He’s got plenty of ability and hopefully there’s improvement still to come. Last time out at Southwell, he left the stalls slowly and got stuck on the inside with nowhere to go, which was very unlucky."

Loughnane has ridden 19 winners in 2023 and got the seal of approval from Appleby, who himself is operating at a 21 per cent strike-rate this year.

Appleby added: "Billy is riding well and he’s a good lad. The horses are running well and hopefully we can keep going."

Double joy

Brian Ellison enjoyed an across-the-card double when Northern Spirit won the 6f handicap.

The three-year-old was adding to the success of Sam's Adventure, who earlier in the day landed the 3m1f handicap chase at Catterick.

In-form handicapper

The Ray Craggs-trained Ron O recorded a third win in four starts when beating Roudemental by a head in the mile handicap.

Results, replays and analysis

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