13th-May-2022

I want to get Al Qareem on side for the 12-furlong handicap tomorrow at 6/1, now that he is stepping up in trip to a mile and a half for the first time.  I think that there is a good chance that he will go off shorter than that.

Winner of a seven-furlong novice stakes at Newcastle in December, Karl Burke’s horse was gelded in the spring, and he ran well on his three-year-old debut at Southwell in March, keeping on well after losing his position after getting involved in some scrimmaging to finish second in a one-mile handicap off a mark of 81.

He showed the benefit of that run next time at Nottingham when, stepped up to 10 furlongs, he made all and stayed on well to beat Mr Big Stuff, the pair of them coming nicely clear of Speymaster, who re-opposes tomorrow.

He went to Sandown last time and, racing off a 5lb higher mark, again stayed on well after leading, going down by just three parts of a length to Red Vineyard, and coming back at the winner on the run to the line.

The handicapper raised him by another 3lb to a mark of 89, but he still gets to stay in this 0-90 category, and that is important.  At least as importantly, he is stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time tomorrow, and, he is progressive anyway, but that could allow him progress significantly.  He is taking on two unexposed Godolphin horses, but he is still unexposed himself, and he is over-priced in my book.

AL QAREEM WON (ADV 6/1, SP 9/2)