Massini’s Trap

Massini’s Trap ran a really good race to finish second behind El Terremoto in the two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock last Saturday. Settled nicely towards the rear of the field by Ciaran Gethings, and towards the outside, James Nash’s horse wasn’t helped when he jumped into the back of Great Fighter at the first flight down the back straight, but he still travelled well from there, and he moved up nicely on the outside as they started around the home turn. Widest of all around the bottom bend, he was about eight lengths behind the leaders when they straightened up. He still travelled well from there, however, and he picked up when his rider went for him on landing over the final flight, but it was always unlikely that he was going to catch El Terremoto, who himself picked up well from a more prominent position. Massini’s Trap ran all the way to the line to take second place, closest at the finish.

They did not go a great pace here, so the horses who raced prominently were probably at an advantage. Massini’s Trap picked up well from the final flight, he finished best of all, but it was always going to be difficult for him to make up the ground. It was a fine run, and time may show that he faced a fair task, conceding 8lb to El Terremoto.

The Dr Massini gelding has run plenty over hurdles, he does not have obvious scope for progression, but he is in the form of his live on the evidence of his last two runs. He probably didn’t get due recognition for winning at Aintree on his previous run, when he beat the highly-regarded Born Survivor by five lengths. This two and a half miles is probably his optimum trip. He goes well on good ground, but he handled this soft ground well, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. It may be that he continues to be under-rated.

19^th November 2016