Baghdad to Build on Encouraging Reappearance Run at Newmarket

There was a lot to like about Baghdad last season, and it was a real shame to find out he injured himself at Royal Ascot, and was then off for the rest of last season, just when he was beginning to show what a class act he was. However, he came back from that injury at Newcastle last month, and that was highly encouraging, showing us that there is plenty of ability left.

He has been put up another two pound in the handicap for that run, so is now 10 pound higher than when winning at Royal Ascot last summer, but that may not be enough to stop this talented horse. He finished third at Newcastle on their all-weather surface, but he was beaten less than a length by the winner of the race.

He wasn’t ridden as prominently in that race, and drifted in the betting beforehand so it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that he needed that run. The Johnston horses are usually very fit and well enough to go close regardless of how long they have been off, but with this horse having a bad injury, they may have gone a little easier on him. That would mean there was more to come here, and that means there is certainly a race in him off his current mark.

This is a good race, but not a great deal better than the Newcastle handicap Baghdad contested last time out. Assuming there is a little more in the tank to come this weekend, he looks as though he will be very tough to beat. This is still a very nice horse by the looks of it, and after spending some time on the side lines last season, hopefully he can be rewarded for that with a win in the opener at Newmarket on Sunday.