Able Master

Able Master ran a nice race to finish second behind Musaalem in a listed race at Redcar last Saturday on ground that would probably have been on the fast side for him. It was a funny race, with early leader Taqdeyr appearing to go wrong mid-race but actually just hanging badly, but the pace was sound and the form is therefore credible. Tom Eaves held Able Master up in behind, and made nice progress to take it up two furlongs out, but was then run out of it by Musaalem, who had been ridden more patiently. Even so, it was a fine effort from Able Master, and he continues to progress. On his previous run, in a big handicap at York on easy ground, he stayed on well over six furlongs to beat Kaldoun Kingdom, and that horse has won two big six-furlong handicap since. Able Master is now rated 10lb higher than he was then – he got 2lb for his performance on Saturday – but he is at least that progressive. Hopefully he will be dropped back down to six furlongs between now and the end of the season, and encounter easy ground, because, if he does, there could be a decent prize in him.

3rd October 2009