Master of the Race has not been a resounding success over hurdles, so we’re taking him back to the flat hoping for a bit more luck – he runs in the 5.30 at Goodwood today.
He’s one of those horse who is good on the home gallops but hasn’t done it on the racecourse. When he was bought he had the profile of a bit of a rogue – he was second in each of his first five starts, and on three of those runs he was a very short priced favourite. Increasingly I find myself steering clear of anything that looks difficult – when claiming I have attitude at the top of the list of desired qualities – and MOTR would probably fall at this hurdle now.
His most recent flat form is decent and he has a right to go ok if he puts his mind to it – he might be value for a place if the price is right but I won’t be rushing to back him. An alternative strategy would be to back him in order to lay him back in running as he generally travels better than he arrives.
Master ran well – he was seventh out of fifteen but had a few traffic problems along the way and would have done better. He’ll be out again fairly soon.