Thursday 11 August 2016

Master Can Hit The Right Note At Newbury

Sunday's selection, Pick Of Any, ran a bitterly disappointing race and there were no apparent excuses. I really though he would stay on late in the day, but he was never able to land a blow. He probably needs a bit more help from the handicapper if he is to get his head in front.

Tomorrow I have my eye on a horse at Newbury, and Mister Musicmaster appeals from an each way perspective returned to the scene of his last triumph. This 7yo son of Amadeus Wolf has been a grand servant to connections and, as his 7 victories show, he knows how to win a race. He goes in the class 4 handicap at 2.50 and he gets to race off a mark of 77.

He returned to the turf this season with a fine effort at Windsor back in May (10f gd) off a mark of 81. He was beaten just a length that day and it was a super run. He went into his shell after that race though, and he was well below par on his next few starts. Every cloud has a silver lining though, and he has slipped to an attractive looking rating of 77, 3lb below his last winning mark. That win came here last summer over course and distance, off a mark of 80 and on quick ground.

He showed clear signs of life over an inadequate 7f at Chepstow last time, outpaced early doors but staying on nicely in the closing stages. His trainer Ron Hodges is a shrewd operator, and he may well have had this race in mind for some time. The step back up to 8f looks sure to suit, as his last 5 wins have come over the trip. It would be no surprise to see Steve Drowne ride Mister Musicmaster a lot more aggressively on Friday, and a fast start from the stalls is key.

Another reason for optimism is the fine record that Hodges has at Newbury. In the past 5 seasons he has had 16 runners, and 6 of those have won. That is a strike rate of 38% and he obviously likes to have winners at the track. Hopefully Mister Musicmaster can enhance that record on Friday, and at odds of 16/1 he looks well worth supporting each way.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 2.50 NEWBURY: MISTER MUSICMASTER E/W 16/1


No comments:

Post a Comment