Mount Logan

Mount Logan put up a nice performance to win the Class 2 one-and-a-half-mile handicap at Doncaster on Saturday. Luca Cumani’s horse was wider and freer than ideal from his draw in stall seven of nine through the early stages of the race. The early pace was not fast, and he was widest of all around the first turn with no cover before Andrea Atzeni managed to tuck him in behind the leaders in fourth place after they had gone about half a mile.

He did come under pressure at the three-furlong pole as the pace quickened, he was briefly out-paced and several of his rivals – most notably Forgotten Hero and Tha’ir – travelled better than him at that point, but he picked up nicely from the two-furlong pole. He moved up on the outside of Tha’ir inside the two-furlong marker, hit the front a furlong and a half out, and powered into the lead, staying on really strongly all the way to the line, sticking his neck out and galloping on willingly to put over two lengths between himself and his closest pursuer.

This was a decent race, well up to standard for a Class 2 handicap despite the relatively small field. The two horses who followed Mount Logan home, Forgotten Hero and Bold Sniper, are both high-class handicappers, and both have been in top form this season. Also, the race was run in a good time, just 0.1secs/furlong slower than Racing Post par, despite the sedate early pace.

This was just Mount Logan’s seventh ever run, and he continues to improve. A son of New Approach, his dam is a half-sister to several winners over 10 furlongs and a mile and a half, and he stays a mile and a half well. He should do even better when he gets an even stronger pace at which to run.

The handicapper has raised him 7lb for Saturday’s win to a mark of 103, but he is progressive enough to cope with that hike. He seemed to win with plenty in hand on Saturday, he was going on strongly at the finish. He could even get further than a mile and a half if he needs to, and he could be better than a handicapper. He is worth stepping up to listed or Group 3 class now, he will be of interest wherever he goes next and he will be an exciting middle-distance four-year-old next season.

13th September 2014