'I loved him when I bought him' - Mill Reef aim for well-regarded Mustajaab

Thursday: Ffos Las

A tilt at the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes is the plan for the well-regarded Mustajaab following his victory in the 6f maiden.

The Khalifa Dasmal-owned colt is set for a step up to Group 2 company at Newbury on September 17 having improved on his debut fifth at Ascot when prevailing by a head under Lewis Edmunds.

Mustajaab, who is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Checkandchallenge, was a 45,000gns buy from Meon Valley Stud at the Tattersalls Book 2 sale last year.

William Muir, who trains Mustajaab alongside Chris Grassick, said: “I loved him when I bought him and he showed us he was going to be a pretty nice individual before his debut.

“He’s getting stronger all the time and the first thing Lewis said to me was the better the race, the better the horse we’ll see. He’s a good jockey, has been in and rode him work at home and is excited by him.

“There’s a good bit of time to the Mill Reef and that will be the plan should he come out of this fine. There’s nothing to lose by going for it.”

The joint-trainers and Edmunds completed a double when Eddie The Beagle won the concluding 1m6f handicap.

Flat first

Gloucestershire-based trainer Joe Ponting celebrated his first winner on the Flat when Al Gaiya landed the 1m4f handicap by half a length under Charlie Bishop.

Tom Dascombe and long-time ally Richard Kingscote enjoyed a double on the seven-race card courtesy of 6f nursery winner Felix Natalis and mile handicap scorer Larkin.

Results, replays and analysis

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