Mutasaabeq will look to beat his Group 1 duck in Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, with connections assured his rivals “should beat him”.
The Charlie Hills-trained five-year-old defied a penalty to beat Native Path, Eire’s 2,000 Guineas winners final 12 months, within the bet365 Mile, which moved to the Newmarket Guineas assembly after heavy rain pressured Sandown’s card to be scrapped the earlier week.
Mutasaabeq, owned by Shadwell Estates, who recorded a fourth victory on the Rowley Mile course, was one in all 16 horses confirmed for Lockinge on Monday.
Angus Gold, Shadwell’s race director, thinks his Joel Stakes win final September in blinders for the primary time confirmed enchancment and the indicators are that he’ll proceed to enhance.
“He will the Lockinge. It was a terrific efficiency final time. It did not shock me that he stayed nicely as a result of he seemed like he needed that (a mile) earlier than,” Gold stated.
“Clearly you do not go right into a race like that considering you are essentially going to beat a Guineas winner, however clearly I used to be very proud of him.”
Winner of six of his 13 begins, Mutasaabeq is aiming for a hat-trick after back-to-back Group Two wins.
He might face Ralph Beckett’s two-time Group 1 winner Angel Bleu, Solar Chariot runner-up Laurel, Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Trendy Video games and Champion Stakes third-placed My Prospero in what’s shaping as much as be a wonderful renewal, though Inspiral is a notable absentee. .
Gold believes health ought to profit Invincible Spirit’s son, including: “It is all good, if he reveals up in the identical sort of form he was in Newmarket, they’re going to all must go on the market to beat him.
“Actually the primary indicators – and though it is only one race up to now – are that his conduct was significantly better. He is a way more mature and relaxed horse and he was heading into the precise course the opposite day.
“The blinders definitely did not appear to harm him.”
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