Baghdad Offers Each Way Value on Return after Absence

Baghdad made a very nice impression last season, winning two out of three races. Those victories came at big meetings, at York and then lastly at Royal Ascot. That was the last time we saw him through injury though, which was really disappointing as he looked to be a very progressive type.

On Friday at Newcastle he is back, and looking to pick up where he left off and continue the progression he showed. There is no doubt this four year old could prove to be better than a handicapper, and if that is the case then he will have to go close off his current handicap mark of 98. His two wins last season came by a short head and a neck, he only just does enough but there is no doubt he keeps battling and finding more when challenged, a great characteristic to have in a horse.

This race is a good handicap but it is not as competitive as the two races he won last season and while the rise in the weights may prevent him from winning, if he is going places like I think he is then it also may not. Should the horse win this one then the next step has to be into listed company, or possibly even group company and when you look back to his wins from last year, that looked to be where he was heading in all fairness.

The additional weight is a slight worry, the break of nearly a year is a slight worry but at the prices, I feel like we need to be backing this horse tomorrow. He is a lovely horse, who could have moved up another level over the winter, and if that is the case then he is more than good enough to win a race like this off his current mark. I’m really looking forward to seeing Baghdad return to the track on Good Friday.