PUNTERS are shunning a racehorse called Taleban after a disastrous losing streak.

The bay five-year-old has raced three times for owner John Wade and has been unplaced on each occasion.

No one is prepared to have a flutter on him because of his dreadful form and unfortunate name. On his last race at Sedgefield, County Durham, last week he finished at the back of an eight-horse field, leaving trainer Maria Myco, 40, in despair.

She said: "He must be the most unfortunately named racehorse in the country and I think it must be affecting his form. He was already called Taleban when we bought him and at the time the name did not mean a thing.

"We got him from a sale in Doncaster 18 months ago and he looked a really good prospect, he is a fine, handsome horse.

"We think he will come good, but he has not done so well in his races to date.

"Since the war in Afghanistan started, people look twice at the racecard when they see his name.

"We have started pronouncing his name Tale Ban to avoid any unnecessary embarrassment and we have even looked into changing it."

Since he joined John Wade's stables in Sedgefield, Taleban has not even come close to victory. As well as his miserable form at his home race track, he has also trailed home at Newcastle and Market Rasen.

Maria said:"I am sure he will turn into a good horse when we run him on the good ground, which suits him better. Like everyone else, we want the Taleban beaten in Afghanistan, but we wouldn't mind seeing ours win once in a while."