Haggas hopes Montassib has plenty in his favour in Wentworth
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 7 Nov 2025
Montassib drops down in grade with “lot of things right for him” in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Wentworth Stakes, bidding to land a timely end-of-season blow at Doncaster.
William Haggas’ speedster has a great record on Town Moor and won the Cammidge Trophy over the course and distance at the beginning of last season before going on to scoop Group One honours later in the campaign.
He may be without usual pilot Cieren Fallon – who is sure to be watching on alongside Haggas from Australia – but the Sommerville Lodge handler has confidence he can make up for lost time in what has been an interrupted season in a race he sets an obvious standard.
“It’s his ground and he’s a winner at Doncaster, so there are a lot of things right for him on Saturday,” said Haggas.
“The only thing not right for him is Cieren is in Sydney and not able to ride him and it’s his ride, but James (Doyle) is a more than able deputy and I would be very hopeful.
“I hope he’s still in good order as he’s only had the two starts this season. He had a setback in the spring which is why he’s been so late coming out.
“He had a nice prep at Newbury and ran well and then Ascot on Champions Day wasn’t really that soft enough for him, but hopefully conditions will be right at Doncaster.”
Karl Burke’s Spycatcher is another who enjoys his visits to the South Yorkshire track and in fact won this year’s running of the Cammidge on the opening day of the Flat turf season.
It would be fitting if he could cap another profitable campaign back at Doncaster having bolted up at Chantilly in a Group Three most recently, with connections keen to take advantage of the ground in this end-of-term fixture.
“He’s really well and has come out of the French race in great form,” said Burke.
“I know he’s got the penalty to give away, but he loves that heavy ground and who knows what it will be like in the spring if we put him away.
“It’s more the ground than anything. It won’t be an easy task with the penalty, but it’s such an advantage if you have a horse who goes on that ground.
“This will be his last run (of the year) and if he runs up to the French form he should very go close.”
Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck’s Apollo One was second in the Portland at the track on St Leger day before going close again at Ascot in the Bengough Stakes.
Like Montassib, Tim Easterby’s Art Power would have found conditions on the quick side on British Champions Day but should be more at home with ease in the ground, while Ed Walker’s Balmoral Lady has somewhat disappointed since winning the Achilles Stakes in May, but was second in this last year.
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