No sweat for Hakeem as he takes down hot favourite Wave

Runners in the 5f handicap won by The Big Lad (farside) race into the final half a furlongSouthwell 5.1.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Southwell: hosted a seven-race card on ThursdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hakeem made light of a 324-day absence and the switch to Fibresand as he got the better of 1-4 favourite Victory Wave in the mile novice stakes at Southwell on Thursday.

Second-favourite Hakeem's pedigree gave hope of him coping with the surface, but it paled in comparison with Victory Wave's impressive winning debut at the track three weeks ago.

However, the Godolphin filly proved very keen in the early stages and was vulnerable in the finish, allowing Jim Crowley to swoop late and get a win up for boss Hamdan Al Maktoum and trainer William Haggas. The margin was a length and a quarter, made comfortable by the runner-up slowing up late on.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Keith MelroseBetting editor

Published on 3 May 2018inReports

Last updated 19:42, 3 May 2018

Copy