In the 4.10 at Salisbury on Tuesday, Massaat was bitterly disappointing when trailing in ninth of 16, beaten 16 lengths, behind Harzand in the Derby at Epsom in June, but deserves another chance. The Teofilo gelding was never a guaranteed stayer, but ran too freely when failing to see out a mile and a half at Epsom, but his earlier form over a mile bears close inspection. In the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in April, he went down by 1½ lengths to Galileo Gold with Ribchester 2 lengths back in third and that form has been well advertised.
In the 5.15 at Salisbury, Alyssa may have started at odds of 1/2 for a 0-75 contest at Epsom four weeks ago but, even so, the way she drew right away in the closing stages to beat Machine Learner by 10 lengths, with 23 lengths back to the third horse, was visually very impressive. Exactly what she achieved in doing so is difficult to judge, but a 10lb higher mark may not be enough to prevent her winning again, even in 0-85 company. Silvestre de Sousa, who won on her at Epsom, sticks around for the last race of the afternoon, which often isn’t a bad sign.
Selections: Salisbury 4.10 Massaat, Salisbury 5.15 Alyssa, 1-point Win Double
