Multi Bene

Multi Bene did really well to finish as close as he did in the all-aged one-mile handicap at Haydock on Saturday, given that he was hampered twice during the race.

The first time was as they turned for home, it all got a little tight and Kevin Stott had to snatch him up as Extraterrestrial stumbled on his inside. It took him a little while to get back on an even keel after that as Cornrow quickened in front, but he was making nice ground against the inside, going for a gap between Yourartisonfire and the rail, when that horse moved a little to his left and cut him off, with the result that his rider had to snatch up again.

The fact that Ed McMahon's horse was able to recover his equilibrium and get back out after the leaders tells you that he still had plenty left to give. He almost got back up for second place, and it was not at all surprising that the stewards reversed the placings between the second and third, demoting Yourartisonfire and placing Multi Bene second.

This was a good race. The winner is a progressive lightly-raced horse who was able to set a sedate pace in front, and the runner-up was well-backed just before the off and was two for two at Haydock before this. Multi Bene lost ground as well as momentum and energy in both incidents, particularly in the second, and he can be marked up a fair bit on the bare form of this. Also, because William Buick was allowed dictate his own pace in front, the prominent racers were favoured. The horses who were first, second and third from early finished first, second and fifth, with Multi Bene coming from mid-division to finish third after being hampered.

This was Multi Bene's 18th race, he is not lightly-raced, but he is in the form of his life at present and he continues to progress. His previous two runs - both over Saturday's course and distance, second on both occasions - were probably the two best runs of his life up to that point, and Saturday's run was probably another step forward. He was well-backed for Saturday's race was well just before the off after being fairly weak in the morning, there was obviously a degree of confidence behind him.

The handicapper has left him on his mark of 92 after this, and that may be lenient. He does love Haydock, he has run there four times now and those four runs have been among the best of his life. However, he may just be an improved horse now, his last six runs have been the six best of his life on ratings, and it may just be down to happenstance that four of them have been at Haydock. He will be of interest wherever he goes next, but he will obviously be of particular interest back at Haydock.

9th August 2014

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