An easy assignment for Laban and Able

AFTER four races in the higher class, finishing second twice and fourth the other two occasions, Richard Azan's LABAN, similar to GOD OF LOVE recently, is back among overnight allowance runners, who he beat four months ago.

Never mind that LABAN was somehow slated to carry 124lb in an open allowance, the I'msatisfied, on October 2, after placing fourth and second at the level, he now benefits from a get-out-of-jail card, two months later, to line up in Sunday's Ahwhofah Sprint, finishing no more than two lengths behind the winners in his last two open allowance appearances. Go figure. It's in the conditions.

Azan has accepted the gift with open arms, calling in nine-pound claiming rider, Abigail Able, to make already-out-of-class LABAN one of the lightest in the nine-horse line-up at 117lb, a pound above the 116lb the four-year-old colt had carried when finishing a length and three-quarter behind SHE'S A WONDER, ROJORN DI PILOT and DUKE in the I'msatisfied open allowance on October 2.

Running at 117lb down in class, LABAN is up against a motley bunch of older, off-colour runners - ANOTHER BULLET, PRINCE CHARLES, EL PROFESOR and SUPREME SOUL - a quartet that can be written off as quickly as their names can be mentioned.

Able's nine-pound claim transfers joint topweight to DEEP BLUE SEA, who will be begging for the wire after five furlongs, as well as LEGALITY, a pacer, who will find the trip too sharp for his liking.

ONE DON and LOOSE BALL are expected to run similar races, from off the pace. However, neither has LABAN's speed and should be behind the lighter out-of-class runner, coming off the turn, as long as Able gets it right at the start.

LABAN has worked well for what should be an easy assignment in which Able has one lone speed to contend, DEEP BLUE SEA, with whom her mount sits almost level and has the advantage of six furlongs.