Haatheq

Haatheq ran a solid race to finish third in a decent seven-furlong handicap at Ascot on Saturday. He was held up early on by Richard Hills, which is unusual for a Hamdan Al Maktoum horse, but he still travelled well to the two-furlong pole in rear. He was among the horses who got caught up in traffic as Rule Breaker faded from a prominent position and, while this was happening, Side Glance made his run on the near side unimpeded. Haatheq finished well, but he was never going to catch the winner and he just failed by a short head to get up for second place.

Haatheq has got really smart form now, his close second to Sea Lord at Doncaster last time now looks even better since Mark Johnston’s horse has gone on to take two big handicaps and is now rated 105, 14lb higher than he was then. Ginger Jack, another Mark Johnston-trained horse, was third that day and he has since gone on to win twice. This was also a good race, Side Glance is good, and always looked like he would improve for stepping up to seven furlongs from six furlongs, while the favourite Man Of Action was really progressive coming into the race, having won his previous two. Also, Bohemian Melody, who finished fourth, came out and won at Kempton on Tuesday. Haatheq finished best of all, he was probably a shade unlucky as well given he had to manoeuvre around Rule Breaker, despite the fact that he was a little caught for pace at the time before running on well. A step up in trip to a mile could suit him much better next time. He should come on from this again and he will be of interest wherever he runs next.

10th July 2010

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