Zaham prevails in Hampton thriller
Thursday, 21 June 2007 18:29Zaham got home in a four-horse photo following a thrilling finish to the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Mark Johnston's charge had to fend off challengers from all sides to justify 7-2 favouritism in the Listed contest. Kid Mambo made a brave bid to make all the running and he did not cave in as Zaham joined him over a furlong out.
Richard Hills managed to get Zaham in front but it was a close call as Al Shemali came with a wet sail and was only a head down at the line. Desert Dew was just a neck behind in third, with Kid Mambo not far behind in fourth.
Johnston said afterwards: 'This was always the target after Epsom as we thought he deserved the step up to Pattern class.
'He's proved that now and hopefully there are better things to come. It was a tough race, though. He has a fantastic attitude but we've always known that.'
