SHEIKH UP FOR DERBY
Masar heads to Epsom
SHEIKH MOHAMMED, winner of two Investec Derbys but not in his famous blue Godolphin silks, will hoping Masar can make it a first for ‘The Boys in Blue’ in the Epsom Classic on Saturday week.
The sheikh enjoyed success with Lammtarra (1995), carrying the colours of Saeed bin Al Maktoum, and New Approach (2008) who was triumphant in his wife Princess Haya’s green silks.
Masar, a son of New Approach, romped home in Craven Stakes at Newmarket where he had Roaring Lion, the impressive winner of last week’s Dante Stakes, over nine lengths behind him in third place.
Since that breathtaking performance in April the colt returned to Newmarket where he finished late to snatch third place behind Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas.
Again, he had Roaring Lion behind him in fifth place.
Charlie Appleby, who trains the colt, confirmed the three-year-old will be heading for the undulations of Epsom rather than the Curragh for the Irish 2,000 Guineas this Saturday. Despite his fine performance at Newmarket, Masar has, however, gone unnoticed by both punters and bookmakers.
With Saxon Warrior heading the betting at 4-6, Roaring Lion is second best at 6-1 with Masar a 16-1 chance.
Appleby believes he has right pedigree for Epsom and has the agility to handle the unique track.
“Masar has come out of the Guineas well,” said Appleby. “He’s grown up with every run.
“On pedigree he should get the trip. He has got a good head for it and you can switch him off in a race.
“But we’ve all got the favourite to beat and we’ve all got to find some improvement.” William Buick, in saddle when the colt ran in the Guineas and Craven Stakes, will retain the ride.
“William said after he rode him in the Guineas that he rode like a horse that stays further.
“I would not have thought he would have a problem with the track,” added Appleby. “Although they are not the same, he’s handled the undulations at Newmarket well twice.”