Chairman to take charge at Newbury
Bond Chairman can make it third time lucky at Listed level in the bet365 Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury tomorrow.
Bryan Smart’s charge has been mixing it in some smart company following his debut victory at Musselburgh in April, making the journey to Sandown where he tackled the National Stakes and finished four and a half lengths behind Ebro River in what was a big leap in level.
Smart felt the Kodiac colt deserved a shot at Royal Ascot following that effort, and the decision very nearly paid dividends because he was beaten less than three lengths in fourth in the Windsor Castle Stakes. Bond Chairman was sent off a 66-1 shot that day – and while he could not go with the early gallop, he made significant strides in the closing stages over the minimum trip, which suggests the switch up to six furlongs here will be a positive move.
Maytal significantly enhanced her paddock value with a recent victory and can add another success in the Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants Fillies’ Handicap.
As a Sea The Stars halfsister to multiple Group One winner Midday, expectations were always going to be high for Sir Michael Stoute’s charge – and her initial third last year behind Listed winner Auria certainly reads well now. Not beaten far in maiden and novice company on her first two runs of 2021, Maytal finally hit the mark at Haydock last month. She made hard work of a length-and-ahalf win, but it was still a fair effort.
Upped in trip here after that staying-on performance, Maytal merits respect.
Mutasaabeq can make the most of a drop in class for Haydock’s Bet At racingtv.com Conditions Stakes.
Winner of his only juvenile start last year, Mutasaabeq hacked up by six lengths on his return at Newmarket in April – prompting connections to stump up £30,000 to supplement him for the 2000 Guineas the following month.
That bold decision did not pay off as the Invincible Spirit colt came home seventh in the mile Classic, but it was certainly not a bad run to be beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Poetic Flare.
Sent on a retrieval mission in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mutasaabeq disappointed in beating just two home for Charlie Hills. So it makes sense to dip in level here and try to get a confidence boost before possible bigger summer targets.
Monhammer can strike in the same Shadwell colours at Mutasaabeq, in the Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com
Maiden Stakes. Out of luck in two starts so far for William Haggas, the Awtaad gelding shaped with some promise when second on Merseyside at the start of the month, albeit beaten four lengths in another maiden heat.