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Master Blueyes Has Sound Claims

February 26th, 2017 | Marten's Current Racing Diary

I was quite taken with the way Master Blueyes won the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

Alan King’s grey was a fair handicapper on the Flat last summer, winning from a mark of 72 on his handicap debut at York in May and then following up off 79 a few days later at Chester. He then performed to a reasonable level from a mark in the mid-80s but his early runs over hurdles showed only a modicum of promise.

Things picked up when he went to Ludlow earlier this month, winning by 18 lengths, and Alan King says he came out of that race so well that he had to let him take his chance in the Grade 2 race on Saturday.

Although beaten eight lengths by Charli Parcs in December, he looked to be holding that rival when he came down two flights from home.

Master Blueyes is by Mastercraftsman, one of my favourite sires, and it would not surprise me to see him run a sound race in the Triumph Hurdle.

I spent the weekend writing my Bulletin Book essays for the three novice hurdles – the Supreme, Neptune and Albert Bartlett. I have to say that my findings suggest we could be looking at one of the best runnings of the Albert Bartlett since its inception. It would prove a better race than the Neptune, but then plans may change.

Bye for now

Marten