DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY APRIL 27
5.15 SOUTHWELL
MUHAAJIM (best price 11-2) faded into the ruck on his debut in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, but he did more than enough to suggest a more complete performance might be forthcoming in future and he can be backed with a degree of confidence to justify that view on his all-weather bow.
Clearly fancied to go well in a race rich with tradition at HQ (sent off 9-2), the son of Sea The Stars providing a snapshot of why he was so short in the betting by travelling powerfully down to the two-furlong pole, but it was from that juncture that his challenge dissipated and you could see him take a blow.
Failing to get up the hill on the rain-softened ground, he left the impression he would be a different proposition next time with that initial run under his belt and today’s more forgiving track should see him in a much better light.
Whatever his fate today, he remains one to keep on side.
MUHAAJIM – 1-point each-way@11-2
6.45 SOUTHWELL
One of the standout speed figures of this current season was the all-weather Champion Marathon Final won by Wonder Legend at Newcastle on Good Friday and HEATHEN (best price 9-1) rates a strong choice to be the first participant from that competitive heat to fly the flag with distinction.
A sound early clip was increased even further when Oisin Murphy blasted Plague De Havre to the front heading down the back straight and the chaotic pace continued until he eventually succumbed to the laws of physics at the two-furlong pole.
At this point, David O’Meara’s gelding began to work his way into some sort of contention from the rear of the field but his effort in making up the lost ground could only carry him so far against better positioned rivals and he ultimately had to settle for a creditable third.
Even so, his effort under such circumstances created by far and away the best set of numbers he has achieved so far in his career and now returning to his local track that saw him successful back in November, the six-year-old can prove his morning odds are all out of whack.
HEATHEN – 1/2-point each-way@9-1