Mascat following lofty tradition with Newmarket success

Mascat (left) is one to watch after winning at Newmarket (Nigel French/PA)

Group-race options could soon be fulfilled by Mascat if recent trends are anything to go by after he opened his account in Heath Court Hotel British EBF Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.

With each of the last three winners of the mile prize – Kick On, Ghaiyyath and Eminent – using the race as a springboard to Pattern-race success, the Andover handler will be hoping Mascat can follow in their hoofprints.

Chasing home leading Qipco 2000 Guineas contender Palace Pier on his debut at Sandown, the son of Zoffany took the required step forward to defeat Discovery Island by half a length, earning quotes of 50-1 for the Guineas and Derby with Unibet.

Beckett said of the 6-4 winner: “He has probably overachieved this year in the sense that we didn’t have a strong view about him until just before he made his debut.

“It was a proper effort, as he had to do it the hard way coming round them, but he put it to bed nicely in the end.

He is a likeable individual.

“I think he will get a mile and a half as a three-year-old.

We will see if he runs again this year, but I think wherever he goes the ground will be a factor as he wants it good or quicker in my view.

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Dogged (14-1) went one place better than at Sandown in taking the First Call Traffic Management Nursery Handicap.

Elsworth said: “He might well run back here in the Zetland.

He had definitely done well since his run at Sandown.

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Dramatic Device can proudly boast victories at both Newmarket tracks after backing up victory at the July course with a half-length success in the Weatherbys TBA Handicap to complete a hat-trick of wins for the season.

Chris Wall said of his 3-1 winner: “For a horse that mentally was a bit tricky when we first had him, he has done nothing but improve.

In the race they didn’t go quick, but he travelled nicely into it.

“He doesn’t like soft ground, so that is probably his season run.

He is in the Horses In Training Sale, but he has done us proud and we have had a really good season with him.

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Injury may have ruled Top Rank (10-11) out for a large part of the season, but the James Tate-trained three-year-old made up for lost time when maintaining his unbeaten record on his first start in 166 days with victory in the Molsen Coors Handicap.

Tate said: “He is a lovely horse, but he got struck into when he won at Thirsk.

We have taken our time with him, but it is nice to see him back on track.

“If ever there was a horse that will be better as a four-year-old, that’s him.

I’m sure we will put him in something better before the end of the season.”

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Ralph Beckett

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