'I don't think the yard punted him' - Arbaawi lands gamble for Stuart Williams

Friday: Southwell

Just 16 days after Huberts Dream landed a gamble for Stuart Williams, Arbaawi justified similar late support for the Newmarket trainer when making a winning handicap debut in the 6f nursery.

Beaten by a combined 40 lengths in his maiden and novices, the two-year-old was available at 10-1 a few hours before his first start on the all-weather and since a gelding operation, and scored by a head under Jason Hart to the relief of those who had backed him into 6-4 favouritism.

Williams said: "He'd shown a little bit in his three runs, he'd come from the breeze-ups initially but he'd been a little bit of a slow learner. I think gelding him has probably helped a little bit as well and it was only a poor race today."

On the late gamble, Williams added: "I don't think anyone in the yard punted him to be honest. I don't think the owner's a gambler – he's just glad to have a winner. He's been a big supporter of the yard, he's had three horses with us recently and the other two weren't capable of winning so it's nice to see this one get his head in front."

Despite holding an entry at Lingfield next Thursday, Arbaawi is unlikely to bid to emulate Huberts Dream, who quickly followed up his well-punted success with two odds-on wins. Williams said: "I doubt Arbaawi would run again quickly."

Poignant win

Hart completed a double when steering the Simon Hodgson-trained Twilight Madness to a poignant success in the 5f handicap. He won in the silks of the late Peter Hedger, who died this month at the age of 82.

Results, replays and analysis

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