MASAR THE MASTER
MASAR was cut from 25-1 to 7-1 for next month’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas after a scintillating display to win the Craven Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.
Jockey William Buick set the pace on Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old and after The Bushes pressed the accelerator and surged clear of hot favourite Roaring Wind.
Masar stretched his lead to nine lengths by the winning post, with Roaring Wind relinquishing second to White Mocha in the closing stages.
“He’s going to be a big contender for the Guineas,” said Appleby. “He’s a live shot, no doubt about that.”
John Gosden did not rule out a Guineas bid for Roaring Lion.
“You get a small field here,” said Gosden. “They go steady, steady, steady and then ‘boom’ from The Bushes.
“I’m perfectly happy. He was 80 per cent. He tired in the last furlong.
“He needs an end-to-end gallop. He may well go for the Guineas. I’d hope there’d be proper pace all the way. There usually is. It’s very different to the trial.”
Kevin Ryan continued his recent domination of the Abernant Stakes as Brando scored back-to-back victories under Tom Eaves.
Brando won the six-furlong Group Three 12 months ago at even money, providing his Hambleton-based trainer with a third victory in four years following the previous triumphs of Hamza in 2014 and Astaire 2015.
The six-year-old also won the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last season but his form dropped off soon after.
Brando went off at 9-2 and powered home to claim a decisive victory by three-quarters of a length from Sir Dancealot.
The 6-5 favourite Le Brivido never landed a blow, while Spirit Of Valor finished last of the eight runners.
Ryan said: “I think we’ll have to space out his runs more this year. We may go back to York next for the Duke of York. He has good form there.”