Arbuthnot Has Newcastle Prize In His Sights

David Arbuthnot, fresh from saddling his first Cheltenham Festival winner in Oscar Park, is looking for more big-race glory at Newcastle on Saturday with Tanzanite in the William Hill Lincoln.

The five-year-old mare ran a solid race to finish third at Wolverhampton earlier this month and trainer Arbuthnot believes she would have been even closer but for meeting with interference.

'She ran a great race last time because she met with trouble in running. I still think she would have won if she hadn't had a bump,' he said.

'She's a very game mare, she beat Spectait at Sandown last season in very soft ground but then she slightly went off the boil and that was her first race back, so we were very pleased.

'I think she has a pretty fair chance as the ground will be in her favour and then obviously you just need the luck of the draw,' he told At The Races.

'If you don't get a high draw you are going to be severely inconvenienced, but I think she is good price and we hope we get a good draw.'

Zero Tolerance tops the 63 horses left in at the five-day confirmation stage.

David Barron's seven-year-old will have to defy top weight if he is to add to his eight career wins after both Dunelight and Kalderon were taken out.

Dermot Weld's Bawaader, who ran disappointingly in the Irish Lincolnshire on Sunday, will also miss the race.

However, Charlie Swan's Crooked Throw, who chased home impressive winner Deauville Vision at the Curragh, has stood his ground, as has Blue Bajan, who finished fifth behind Gentleman's Deal in the Winter Derby at Lingfield.

Rio Riva is still engaged for Julie Camacho, while Impeller, a winner at the Dubai Carnival for Stan Moore, could also take his chance.

Among the notable absentees were Illustrious Blue, third behind Gentleman's Deal at the weekend, Brian Meehan's Acheekyone and the Richard Hannon-trained pair Orchard Supreme and Red Spell.

(C) PA Sport