Muqtaser has a progressive profile and looks ahead of his mark in the 5.25 at Newmarket today and gets the max bet treatment at 3/1.
Roger Varian’s colt shaped with bags of promise on debut last year when fourth fo 11 Mutasayyid at Ascot, and the form of the race has worked out extremely well.
The winner has gone on to win on handicap debut off 85, the third home Intilaaq – who finsihed just 1/2 a length in front of the selection – has gone to bolt up by 8 lengths in a maiden at Newbury to be rated 97 and was thought good enough to run in yesterday’s 2000 Guineas.
Muqtaser duly stepped up on that effort to score in good style by 2 1/2 lengths at Newcastle and shaped really well on reappearance over course and distance when third to Dissolution in a decent handicap off an opening mark of 87.
The three-year-old raced keenly but kept on really well to go down by just 1/2 a length, and looks sure to come on a bundle for that run.
Although Muqtaser has been put up 1lb for that run, that doesn’t look harsh judged on his debut run and he looks the type who should have plenty more to offer.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 10pts win Muqtaser (3/1 Stan James – BOG)