Ibn Malik holds all the aces in European Free Handicap

David Metcalf | April 12, 2016

Class-dropping Ibn Malik the answer to European Free Handicap

Ibn Malik had some very useful form as a juvenile and can take advantage of a drop in class to land the European Free Handicap at Newmarket (15.55).

The Charlie Hills trained gelding looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut at this venue, racing prominently until taking up the running four furlongs from home and finding plenty when challenged to cosily beat Comicas by 3/4 of a length.

That view was confirmed when Ibn Malik went down fighting by 3/4 of a length to Galileo Gold in the Group 2 Vinatage Stakes at Goodwood.

Solid efforts in Group company

The son of Raven’s Pass backed that up with a solid second to the highly regarded Emotionless in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, before rounding off the campaign with a solid third to Gifted Master in a Group 3 contest at this track.

Those runs represent very solid form in the context of this lower grade Listed contest, and Ibn Malik is a scopey sort who looks the type to make up into an even better three-year-old.

Ibn Malik is also proven over the trip, and with Paul Hanagan in the saddle can exploit what could well be a lenient mark of 107 to make a winning reappearance.