Racing: Mubtaker underlines Nayef's true merit

Geoffrey Freer winner points to stable star's York claims while Hannon finds it hard to separate true buddies

In winning the Geoffrey Freer Stakes in exemplary style here yesterday, the five-year-old Mubtaker not only enhanced his own reputation but also that of a more exalted stablemate. At home in Lambourn, Sheikh Hamdan's bonny chestnut is workmate and companion to Nayef, and his two-length defeat of High Pitched had trainer Marcus Tregoning and jockey Richard Hills counting the minutes until their star's rematch with Golan in the York International on Tuesday.

All due credit for his efforts both behind the scenes and in public was showered on Mubtaker. "He is one of those horses who is just a delight to be around," said Hills. "He is easy, honest and talented. But even if he had never won a single race, or even never run in one, he would be worth every penny of his keep for what he does on the gallops."

Mubtaker has had his qualities as a valued member of the Kingwood House peloton tested twice in the past two weeks. "He is utterly reliable as a yardstick," said Hills, "but Nayef is always in front." Mubtaker is consistent in public, too, never out of the first three in 13 runs and now with a coveted Group Two victory under his girth. Trying an extended mile and five furlongs for the first time, he took over from trailblazing Persian Punch inside the last two furlongs and saw out the uncharted territory well. Not for the first time, High Pitched's head went up when he was asked for a serious effort on ground faster than ideal.

With a future stud career in mind, Mubtaker, a son of Silver Hawk, will probably revert to a mile and a half or even shorter in future. "Staying races are exciting and stayers are popular, but they are not commercial prospects," said Tregoning. "But this horse is no plodder, he picks up and quickens really well." A spot of globetrotting may be on the agenda, with the Canadian International and next year's Dubai World Cup meeting mentioned.

The point about the pleasure marathon runners give was emphasised with the return to the unsaddling enclosure of third-placed Persian Punch, who put two dull displays and the prospect of imminent retirement behind him and earned as loud a cheer as the winning 11-8 favourite. "That was a nice sweetener for him," said trainer David Elsworth.

Richard Hannon had his loyalties severely tested during the finish of the Hungerford Stakes, fought out between his two runners, Reel Buddy and Umistim. The short-head verdict in the seven-furlong Group Three went to the former but the East Everleigh handler's heart seemed with the runner-up. "Reel Buddy is a good horse, but he's the sort that wants everything to go just right for him," he said. "But Umistim is one with the guts of a lion. He'll be in there battling at every stage."

To be fair to Reel Buddy – whose lass Fran Hatfield had him turned out looking a picture, with stars to match the pattern on his owner Bill Jones's silks stencilled on his gleaming chestnut quarters – yesterday's race was not entirely straightforward for him. Sluggish from the stalls, he had to worm his way through a wall of horses before asserting his class – he was third to Rock Of Gibraltar in the Group One Sussex Stakes on his previous run – and going clear inside the final furlong. And he held on gamely enough when tackled by Umistim. "I probably hit the front too soon," said rider Richard Quinn, "but I had to take the opening when it came." Hannon was not sure that he was going to hit the front at all. "I though he was going to need a tin-opener to get out," the trainer added.

Reel Buddy is set to turn out again in Saturday's Celebration Mile at Goodwood. There may be compensation later in the year for Umistim's owner-breeder Sharon Joint, when she sends the five-year-old's yearling full-brother to auction.

Umistim owes his name to the fact that he was rejected by buyers when he took his turn under the hammer, probably because of the Chaplinesque way his front feet turn out. "The yearling has much more conventional limbs," said Joint, "but if no one wants him I'll call him Ikeptim."

This afternoon's Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville provides a Group One bonne bouche before the three-day feast starting on Tuesday at York. Banks Hill, heroine of the Coronation Stakes and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf last term, reverts to a mile after two unsuccessful attempts at further in a bid to retrieve her billing as a star.

Her seven rivals include two from Britain, Godolphin's Best Of The Bests and the John Dunlop-trained Tashawak, and useful Italian miler Altieri, but she may have most to fear from her compatriot Medicis, runner-up in his local 2,000 Guineas and an easy winner at Chantilly in June.