Seeing is believing for owner

Trinidad-based owner Nazir Ahamad saw his colours carried to victory for the first time following Village King's win in the feature Gibbs New Bibury Cup Handicap at Salisbury yesterday. "I've had winners before in this country but this is the first time I've been here when one has won" admitted Ahamad.

Village King was given a confident ride by John Egan who delivered the colt with a late run to peg back Generosa near the line. "He's not a bad sort of horse and obviously relished the step up to a mile and a half for the first time," said Hannon. "When he was two I wondered if he'd ever win a race but he's much better as a three year old and I'll look for another handicap, maybe over an extra two furlongs," he added.

Peter Walwyn sent out his first juvenile winner of the season when debutante Arruhan took the Weyhill Maiden Stake. Despite being slowly away, the filly picked up leader Chili Concerto inside the distance.

Walwyn was full of enthusiasm for the winner explaining he had entered her for the Lowther Stakes at York and Newmarket's Cheveley Park earlier in the day.

"She was the pick of Sheikh Hamdan's in Ireland last year and is a lovely filly who would probably win in a showring," said the Lambourn handler.

Mister Jolson earned a crack at next month's Goodwood Stewards Cup Handicap when beating Tart And A Half in the Solent Premier Club Spring Handicap.