Musselburgh preview: Cobajayisland can collect for in-form Russell

David Metcalf | November 5, 2015

Cobajayisland shaped with bags of promise when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the 2m 7f handicap chase on today’s card at Musselburgh (14.35).

Trained by Lucinda Russell, the gelding was a point winner who opened his account over the obstacles at the first time of asking when staying on gamely to land a novice handicap chase at Hexham off a mark of 105.

The seven-year-old got put up to 112 for that success, and after finishing a distant fourth in a decent contest at Aintree ran really well when runner-up to Bearly Legal over 2m 4f at this venue.

Cobajayisland went on to round off the campaign off with a solid 1 3/4 length second to Up And Go at Newcastle, and looked better than ever when chasing home Muckle Roe at Worcester last month.

The son of Heron Island looked a bit ring rusty and wasn’t always fluent at the obstacles, but travelled well for much of the contest and stayed on nicely to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths without being unduly knocked about.

Although now 3lb higher in the weights, Cobajayisland still looks fairly treated off a mark of 112 and looks the type who should have plenty more to offer.

Russell set for double victory

Maraweh will appreciate the step back up in trip in the 2m 7f handicap hurdle (15.05) and can provide Russell with a quick-fire double.

The gelding showed improved form to land back-to-back 3m contest at Perth in August/September, staying on strongly in the last of those to score by 2 3/4 lengths off a mark of 97.

Maraweh got put up to 104 for that success, and was never able to get competitive off it when a distant fifth of seven over 2m 4f at the same venue when last seen in action.