London Mar. 24.
Gloom reigns - among bookmakers as a result of the victory of Mr Edward Esmond's Phakos, joint 8-1 favourite, yesterday in the Lincolnshire, the first big handicap of the season.
The winner is heavily backed with prominent Grand National horse: and if one of the latter wins th will lose millions of pounds.
Phakos finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Mr. Michalino's Zaimis, which in turn was a head in front of Lord Penders Kyles of Minard.
Mr. Esmond is an international] known sportsman, but. was unable to be present to see his horse, the first favourite to win in 14 years triumph Favourite is Last Allegiance, who was joint favourite wih Phakos, finished last.
Ihe luck of the draw again proved a deciding factor, as the first.aree all had high numbers and had positions near the stands.
Galsonia, one of the well fancied starters, was badly drawn next to the rails and finished sixth. He started at 100-8.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.