Racing: Instinct successful but Cecil holds fire

THE MUCH vaunted Killer Instinct made it third time lucky in the George Akins Bookmakers Maiden Stakes at Nottingham yesterday, but the odds appear to be very much against him running in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in two weeks time.

A son of the mighty Zafonic, he had found one too good for him in each of his two previous races, but was a 7-1 on chance to cope with what looked an easy task here.

Sent to the front from the start by Kieren Fallon, Killer Instinct set a strong gallop and then showed his quality by quickening up inside the last three furlongs to really settle matters and he passed the post with six lengths to spare over Intizaa.

However, the immediate reaction of trainer Henry Cecil, who could also run Enrique in the Irish Classic, suggested that Killer Instinct would not be making the trip to the Curragh.

He reasoned: "He has a lot to learn, he is still a big baby - he is potentially very good but it is a question of whether the Guineas will come to soon, we will have to see.

"I think he is going to be a much better horse as the season goes on so we will just have to see - I don't think we have seen the best of him yet."