Mashaheer looks well ahead of the handicapper

William Haggas described Mashaheer (4/1) 'an interesting horse' on page 76 of Ahead On The Flat and the son of Dutch Art duly won on his handicap debut at Nottingham on Tuesday. Gelded since last season, he was stepping up beyond six furlongs for the first time and racing off a mark of only 70 in the extended one mile classified stakes at Colwick Park. Overcoming a wide berth in stall ten, he was always moving powerfully for former champion jockey Jim Crowley and only had to be pushed out to register a two and three quarters of a length win. While set for a hefty rise in the ratings, the lightly raced three year old looks capable of staying ahead of the assessor for sometime to come.

Handicaps will hopefully be on the agenda next for History Writer who left his below par reappearance run at Newmarket last month behind him with a much better display at Nottingham. Contesting the one mile novice median auction stakes, David Menuisier's charge raced keenly early on and was momentarily tapped for speed when the tempo lifted. Pulled wide, he stayed on well to fill second position. Beaten a length and a quarter by the highly regarded Ibraz, the son of Canford Cliffs is related to middle distance performers and should have no trouble staying at least ten furlongs. With the handicapper unlikely to be too harsh with his opening mark, he looks capable of making an impact in three year old handicaps.

Ahead On The Flat continues to churm out the winners with Hajjam (100/30), Ibraz (6/4), Mashaheer (4/1) and Rasima (5/2) all scoring on Tuesday.