Hood the key for tricky Musaddas

SAEED BIN SUROOR has his string in sparkling form and MUSADDAS (Newmarket, nap, 3.50) could sting layers in today’s Betfred Cambridgeshire. Bookmakers may feel the gelding is an enigmatic character but, on his day, the son of Exceed And Excel has talent as he displayed on his seasonal bow at today’s venue. Wearing a hood has ironed out some of the selection’s kinks and his figures with that headgear read 21231 so it is encouraging to see the hood back today after a below-par run in a visor at York last time. Musaddas has pace alongside him courtesy of If we can and is narrowly fancied ahead of GM Hopkins and Earth Drummer who, coincidentally, both wear a hood for the first time. Shalaa will dominate the market for the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes, but I have been impressed with the way AJAYA (Newmarket, 3.10) has improved this term and he could complete a big-race double for William Haggas, who earlier saddles

BESHARAH (Newmarket, 2.35) in the Cheveley Park Stakes.