Masandam can tame these rivals
Masandam’s last effort was at Leopardstown 12 days ago, when the selection was beaten a little over 11 lengths behind stable companion, and strongly fancied Epsom candidate, Alamshar in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. Too much shouldn’t be read into the performance, because Masandam was in that contest largely to help Alamshar. Indeed, he matched strides in front for much of the 10 furlongs journey with eventual runner-up, The Great Gatsby, and ultimately paid the price.
Masandam is better judged on an unlucky defeat on this track previously. He was hampered at the start and got no sort of run for most of the straight, before finally failing by a fast diminishing neck to reel in all-the-way winner, Sophister. He had one of his principal rivals now, Hazelhatch, behind in fifth spot and though there is nothing particularly earth-shattering about the form, this does look a weak race!
Glens Music has a huge amount in hand over her rivals in the EBF Mares ’Chase and, in theory, is the proverbial good thing. She was in a different league when going down by four lengths to Rathgar Beau at Naas in March and also when beating Eskimo Jack prior to that, also at Naas.
Glens Music has to be the choice, but two minor concerns are the fact she is very much a Naas specialist and has burst blood-vessels in the past.
Kevin Prendergast’s Mukammal looks the one to be on in the six furlongs Macroom Maiden, even if he hasn’t quite built on an excellent first outing in July when beaten three parts of a length by Van Nistelrooy at the Curragh.
His other effort as a juvenile was very disappointing, but Mukammal indicated we shouldn’t give up on him just yet when third to Septimus Severus and Uncle Tiny, over seven furlongs, at Gowran Park on his reappearance.
Heroic, who returned from a long break to finish third behind two useful sorts in Snowy Ford and True Blue Victory at Killarney, gets the vote to win the An Excellent Choice Beginners ’Chase.
