Montassib

Montassib did well to get as close as he did in the seven-furlong handicap at Haydock on Saturday. Settled last of the 11 runners early on from his outside draw, it looked like they went fast early on up front, but the pace held up well. Gweedore led early, with Biggles in second, and they finished second and third, with Rainbow Fire just running the two of them down close home. Montassib was still last as they raced to the two-furlong marker, but he stayed on really strongly through the final furlong to get up for fourth place, closing all the way to the line and closest at the finish. And he would have been closer still had he not had his run checked on the run to the furlong pole.

William Haggas’ horse is five now, but this was just his ninth run, so he still has potential for progression. The Victoria Cup at Ascot was mentioned as a potential target now, and that makes lots of sense. He has never won at Ascot, but he ran well in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at the Royal meeting last year over the Victoria Cup course and distance, he was only beaten a total of a length and a half. Ascot’s straight course suits his hold-up style of racing, and he could do even better on the easy ground that he could get at this stage of the season.
Haydock, 29^th April 2023