Racing: Zindabad the victor in a bruising bout with Punch

When a rock meets a hard place, something has to give. Two horses of the same indomitable character came together here yesterday in the 70th Yorkshire Cup and gave the sundrenched masses on the Knavesmire the best duel of the week.

When a rock meets a hard place, something has to give. Two horses of the same indomitable character came together here yesterday in the 70th Yorkshire Cup and gave the sundrenched masses on the Knavesmire the best duel of the week. Zindabad's victory and Persian Punch's honourable defeat were a fine demonstration of just why long-distance races, and their circus of gallant old warriors, are so popular with the public.

Before yesterday, the Cup field of seven, whose ages totalled 43, had contested 183 races between them for 51 wins. And when the senior among them on all counts, nine-year-old Persian Punch, turned his head for home in his customary position at the head of affairs with well-backed favourite Zindabad, trained in this White Rose county, chasing him a roar of approval and affection began to swell from the stands and enclosures.

Persian Punch is a desperately difficult horse to better in a close battle and knowing this Kevin Darley, on Zindabad, launched his challenge wide as the two drew clear. It took him fully half the length of the half-mile straight to get level with the giant chestnut veteran let alone past him. And, once in front, Zindabad had to dig deep again as Boreas came at him, but he was up for the fight as well as the Cup and galloped on doggedly for a length and a half success in the Group Two prize. Persian Punch, whose efforts cost him dear, lost third to Jardines Lookout by half a length.

The performance of Zindabad continued Mark Johnston's fine run of success. "It's good fun, winning these Group races," beamed the Middleham-based Scot. "It must be nice being Aidan O'Brien, though, just collecting Group Ones."

It was Zindabad's first try at a mile and three-quarters and although the distance suited him well, he will not be essaying any further. Quite the contrary in fact, as his next date will be at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes, a 12-furlong race in which he was beaten a head last year. "There aren't many much tougher than Persian Punch and sticking close behind him today there was always the risk of playing into the hands of horses coming from behind," added Johnston, "but as it turned out the battle the two of them had put paid to all the others."

Zindabad is not only a doughty officer, but a gentleman. "It took me time to get there," said Darley, "but I always knew I'd get past. This horse is so genuine, a pleasure. I'd put my daughters on him. He's a bus of a ride."

The day's other Group contest featured the opposite end of the stamina specturm and gave Invincible Spirit, the 3-1 favourite, consolation for a luckless fourth in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket last month. Mick Kinane, deputising for the suspended Pat Eddery, produced the five-year-old with a perfectly timed late burst to beat Mugharreb by a neck in the six-furlong dash. The son of Green Desert will be at Royal Ascot too, with the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes (the Group Two Cork and Orrery as was) his target.

The fringe Derby aspirations of L'Oiseau D'Argent, who gave Kieren Fallon a nightmare ride as he pulled hard and then failed to get home, were blown out of the water in the Glasgow Stakes. The 10-furlong heat is sometimes a pointer to Epsom but not this time; the Godolphin-trained winner Imtiyaz, who came in six lengths clear, has the Prix Jean Prat over a furlong less at Chantilly on French Derby day as his next target.

The only recognised Derby trial still to take place is Tuesday's Predominate Stakes at Goodwood, for which the possible runners at this stage include Imtiyaz's stablemates Dubai Destination and Almoulatham, plus the Chester third Playapart, 2,000 Guineas flop Coshocton, and Highdown, who beat Wednesday's Dante Stakes winner Moon Ballad at Newmarket last month.

Today at Newbury it is the last chance saloon on the Classic front for Henry Cecil, whose Oaks contender Protectress faces six in the 10-furlong trial. The daughter of Hector Protector has been slow to bloom this year but the form of her sole winning appearance last term stands the closest scrutiny. Snowfire, beaten a head, is now the 1,000 Guineas runner-up and third-placed Islington is the Oaks favourite.