Makin to score

Peter Makin, a shrewd judge who places his string well, has prospects of a Lingfield double today with Vista Alegre in the Cowes Maiden and Diamond Drill in the Shanklin Handicap.

Vista Alegre is improving and ran by far his best race last time out when beaten only a head by Shegardi - a fair sort trained by David Loder.

Admittedly, that outing was two months ago and his fitness must be taken on trust, but he stands head and shoulders above his rivals on bare form and with plenty of improvement still in the tank, should not be opposed.

Diamond Drill is another progressing rapidly and can score at the expense of some exposed performers.

Coral yesterday laid several antepost bets on the Aidan O'Brien-trained King Of Kings at 12 to 1 for this year's English 2,000 Guineas, in advance of the publication of the International Classifications today. The bets followed newspaper reports that the level of confidence behind last year's most hyped two-year-old was extremely high. However, O'Brien is also represented by the second favourite for the race, Second Empire.

David Nicholson, the master of Jackdaw's Castle, performed a fine training feat at Plumpton yesterday, bringing back 100 to 30 shot Duke's Mount to win the Crowborough Novice Hurdle after an enforced absence of 1090 days from the track. Ridden by Richard Johnson, the eight-year-old mastered Ile De Librate at the final flight to score by three lengths.

Trainer Robert Cowell was robbed of his first victory in Britain when Mr Paradise was demoted from first spot at Southwell yesterday. The 9 to 2 shot won the Wicklow Handicap by a short head in the hands of Willie Ryan but hung left as he took the lead approaching the final furlong across the bows of Godmersham Park. The stewards immediately called an inquiry and decided that there had been interference.