Masandam can tame these rivals

MASANDAM, who went off a 50-1 chance last time and finished sixth of six, gets the nap to take the Fermoy Median Auction Maiden at Cork tonight.

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!