'His allowance could be key' - why Majestic Dawn may have the right partner

4.42 Salisbury
William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap | 1m2f | 3yo+ | RTV

It is just over a year since Majestic Dawn stormed home to land the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, but he is without a win since and has been anchored by a 10lb rise in the weights.

The five-year-old produced his best run of the season on his reappearance at Windsor when he was partnered by PJ McDonald. Paul Hanagan and Jim Crowley have had no luck on him since, so connections now turn to 7lb claimer Mohammed Tabti to change his fortunes.

The apprentice hit the target for Paul and Oliver Cole on Ivatheengine at Newbury a couple of weeks ago and that was the fourth winner of Tabti's career. He was taking over from a professional on that occasion, too, and maybe his allowance could prove key once again.

Mohammed Tabti: takes off 7lbCredit: Mark Cranham

Majestic Dawn will need all the help he can get from the saddle because he has to give weight to some unexposed and talented three-year-olds, who could all be progressing.

Poet Of Life took a step backwards when a beaten 7-4 favourite at Sandown last time, though, and maybe March Law is the one who is going forward at the fastest rate.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt has improved 10lb in his last three starts according to Racing Post Ratings and the booking of champion jockey Oisin Murphy catches the eye. Murphy has 11 winners from 60 rides for Johnston in the last five years. That's an 18 per cent strike-rate.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Oliver Cole, joint trainer of Majestic Dawn
We took him out of the Cambridgeshire last weekend as the ground was too quick for him, but this surface should be better. He's been in great form of late and we expect him to run really well.

Tony Carroll, trainer of King Carney
He's a new horse to us as we bought him at the horses-in-training sales and we are still getting to know him. He'd lost his way a little bit and hopefully he can make some progress now he has a change of scene. He enjoys cut the ground by all accounts so hopefully can run a nice first race for us.

John Gosden, joint trainer of Poet Of Life
He'd been progressing really well until disappointing at Sandown last time where the jockey came back and said the ground was too tacky for him. Hopefully he can handle this surface better and he's pleased us at home since.

David Egan, rider of Prince Of Harts
He wasn't beaten far when I rode him at Haydock last time and I think he may do better with this ease in the ground. He never runs a bad race and should be thereabouts.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Rebel Territory
We took him out of a race at Newmarket last week as the ground was too quick, and we expect him to do better on this easier surface. It's a very competitive race, but he has a low weight and we're looking forward to running him.
Reporting by David Milnes

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