Mubtaghaa can provide Hanagan with July joy

Jockey Paul Hanagan is enjoying a terrific season and Mubtaghaa holds leading claims of providing him with another big race winner in the July Stakes at Newamarket today (2.10).

The William Haggas trained colt put in an eye-catching run when second of eight to Moonraker on debut at Ascot, staying on well to go down by 3/4 of a length after being produced from off the pace.

The form of that race has worked out really well, with the third home Winslow having gone on to score in good style at Haydock in a contest which has thrown-up subsequent winners.

They include runner-up Baitha Alga who has gone on to land the Listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom and the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Mubtaghaa then had little difficulty going one better over 5f at Nottingham at the beginning of last month, again being held-up before being produced inside the last to win going away with more in hand than the 3/4 length winning margin suggests.

The scopey son of Acclamation then posted a cracking effort to finish third of 24 to Hootenanny in the 5f Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, showing plenty of chase to pace the leaders and keeping on strongly to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

That run suggested that Mubtaghaa was crying out for a step up to today’s 6f, and with further improvement to come a big run looks assured.

Others worth considering in a classy renewal are the unexposed pair of Belardo and Ivawood.

The former created a huge impression when winning on debut at Yarmouth, travelling strongly off the pace before quickening clear to beat easily HeartBreak Hotel by 2 1/2 lengths.

Belardo looks sure to improve signicantly for the run, and the son of Lope De Vega definitely falls into the “could be anything” category.

Ivawood is trained by Richard Hannon, and justified strong support on debut at Sandown when running on strongly to beat Magical Memory by 2 1/4 lengths.

There was lots to like about the way the son of Zebedee went about his business, but the runner-up struggled to win a maiden next time up by a neck and the form has a far from solid look about it.