Lord Kintyre does Makbul proud

The Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes for two-year-olds at Newbury is a race framed to reward the little spender, and yesterday's seventh edition achieved the objective in spades. The winner, Lord Kintyre, cost just 9,200 guineas, a pittance in thoroughbred terms, as a yearling and picked up pounds 74,671 for his threequarter-length victory, by far the best- ever result for his trainer Rod Millman.

But the bonny bay colt's background is even more a bargain basement. He is one of only three foals of his year sired by the virtually unknown stallion Makbul, and the only one to make the racecourse. The mating that produced him cost his breeder Joan Rowe just pounds 250, but genes are no respecter of expenditure and the result of Makbul's union with Highland Rowena grew up looking like a racehorse. His price at the Doncaster sales last October was a triumph of physique over pedigree.

Millman, who has only 14 Flat horses in his yard at Cullompton, Devon, said: "I loved him when I saw him, and he's turned out to be the best horse I've had in my yard."

Lord Kintyre, who runs in the colours of Malcolm Calvert, tracked the leaders before hitting the front a furlong out and running on well under Brett Doyle to repel the challenge of Pure Coincidence in a two-year-old five-furlong record time.

The Super Sprint is for horses who cost 30,000 guineas or less at auction, but cheap does not necessarily mean bad. Previous winners of the race include top-class flyers like Paris House and Lyric Fantasy, and Lord Kintyre will now be upped in class, with the Gimcrack Stakes at York or the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on his agenda.

And what of Makbul, once one of the apples of Sheikh Hamdan's eyes? As a two-year-old in training with David Morley he won both his races, then suffered an accident. But his bloodlines - he is a son of Fairy King, sire of Helissio and brother to Sadler's Wells - and outstanding looks meant a job was found for him at stud, though at one time reduced to covering Irish draught mares. He has now moved up-market to Longdon Stud in Staffordshire, where he attracted 19 thoroughbred brides this year at a cost of pounds 450 each. He is having to do it the hard way in his new job, but the faith of his owners may yet be justified.

Perhaps Hayil should take note. One of Sheikh Hamdan's juvenile hopes, the Dayjur colt - also trained by Morley - took a positive step in what can be an uncertain career by winning the Primula Maiden Stakes at Newmarket. Kieren Fallon was seen at his best, keeping the well-backed youngster going to deny the promising debut effort of Iceband by a whisker.

Frankie Dettori marries his long-time girlfriend Catherine Allen today, and warmed up for the ceremony with a double for Sheikh Mohammed and John Gosden courtesy of Anno Luce and Desert Track. But the stewards dished out an unwelcome wedding present in the form of a three-day ban - which includes the first two days of Glorious Goodwood - for careless riding after Daawe, runner-up in the Chemist Brokers Handicap, cut up some of his rivals as effectively as a boy racer on the M25 as he veered left- handed across the track.

And one who may miss Goodwood is Revoque. Despite pleasing Peter Chapple- Hyam in a brisk gallop after racing at Newbury, the colt, a flop in the Irish 2,000 Guineas after chasing home Entrepreneur at Newmarket, is not yet a certain starter in the Sussex Stakes. "He came back from Ireland a very sick horse," said the Manton trainer, "and we'll have to wait and see whether he goes to Goodwood."