Marzouq

14th-Jul-2017

Leshlaa was on my shortlist for this, he ran better than the bare form suggests in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot.  However, he is short enough now dropped in grade and under top weight, and he does have his quirks.  Similar to Frontiersman yesterday, he is a horse I would prefer to back at a big price in high-class company than at a shorter price in a lesser grade.

At a bigger price, I am backing Marzouq.  Winner of his maiden on his second of two runs last season, Jeremy Noseda’s horse has progressed on each of his four runs this year since he made his debut this season in a lowly Class 5 seven-furlong handicap at Kempton in February.

Second to Britannia third Tricorn twice in March and April, but closer to him on the second occasion, he stepped forward next time at Doncaster in finishing fourth behind Afaak in a race that is working out well.  The winner Afaak didn’t run badly in the Britannia, he was third home on the near side, while third-placed Mojito was impressive in winning a decent handicap at Sandown last Saturday.

Marzouq himself stepped forward again last time at Goodwood, going down by just a head to I’vegotthepower, the pair of them clear.  He was raised 5lb for that, but the winner won at Bath last Wednesday off a 6lb higher mark, and Marzouq continues his progression, so he should be well able to cope with a 5lb hike.

Also, the step up from a mile to 10 furlongs could bring about further improvement.  His pedigree and his racing style both suggest that he could improve for it.  He has never run at the July Course, but he has run well in finishing second on his only run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, and that is often a good indicator.  He goes well on fast ground, and John Egan’s record on him reads 2122.  

MARZOUQ WON (ADV 8/1, SP 6/1)