Rory Delargy

The UK programme prior to Royal Ascot is unappealing, and I fear that the current trend of bolstering already cash-rich fixtures, such as Glorious Goodwood and Ascot’s Champions Day, is both unsustainable and potentially deleterious to British racing as a whole. The gap in punting appeal between the flagship meetings and the sport’s bread and butter fixtures is becoming a chasm, and it’s crucial to the future of the sport as a betting product that it retains its appeal on a weekly basis, rather than relying on bonanza days which are few and far between. That said, I’m not paid to pontificate about racing politics, but to find weekend winners, so I must climb off my soapbox and grapple with the matter at hand.

MUSSELBURGH

SATURDAY

Racing may or may not be in a parlous state in the UK as a whole, but one small corner in which it has flourished in recent times is Musselburgh, which was always one of the more pleasant “gaffs” to visit, but has worked wonders since my student days in terms of upgrading both the quality on offer, and the facilities in which to enjoy that product. There is little doubt that the Scottish venue has the most intriguing and competitive sport on offer this weekend, and the course executive deserves plenty of credit for that. The Scottish Sprint Cup has proved so popular that it has spawned a consolation race, and big-field dashes over the minimum trip are excellent punting mediums, with the draw tending to play a big part.

It’s possible to overcome a very low draw at Musselburgh, but the bigger the field, the more difficult that task becomes, and I’d expect both races on the straight track to be dominated by those drawn high. Unlike some venues, it’s not essential to race prominently to take advantage of that bias, as the elbow tends to have the same effect as a cutaway rail, and allows the field to fan out in the last couple of furlongs, giving hold-up horses on the stands rail a chance to find running room in the frantic dash to the line, assuming their riders haven’t already panicked and dived to the middle, of course. That’s the theory, at least, and hopefully we can utilise it to maximum effect.

2.50 WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH SPRINT CUP CONSOLATION (5F)

Mappin Time tends to take time to hit top gear, but is a powerful finisher when in form, as he showed when winning on tapeta at Wolverhampton in February. He’s not quite as effective on turf, but that is reflected in his handicap mark, and he ran well to finish a close fifth in a better race than this at York last month. He’s got plenty of pace to aim at on the stands side, with Rylee Mooch and Meadway likely to blaze a trail, and horses like Classy Anne will ensure the pace set by the leaders is an honest one. Richard Guest’s speedball is in form, but he looks a shade high in the weights after winning at Nottingham, and he will surely be vulnerable to closers, of whom the selection makes most appeal. Tim Easterby is among the winners, and a big run looks assured as long as Mappin Time can find the gaps in time.

3.25 WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH SPRINT CUP (5F)

Neil Farley has certainly been given an opportunity to shine this weekend, as he not only has a plum ride on Mappin Time, but also gets the leg up on the thriving Red Baron here. Eric Alston’s six-year-old gelding goes well here, and has already won three times in 2015, looking better than ever in the process. He couldn’t add to his tally at York last month, but shaped very well until picked up in the dying strides by Monsieur Joe. The winner has boosted that form with a big run in the Dash at Epsom last weekend, and Red Baron has been left on the same mark, suggesting he’ll be winning again sooner rather than later. He had Online Alexander behind when gaining his latest win at Thirsk, but despite respecting the chances of the son of Moss Vale, I’m still keen to side with Kevin Ryan’s filly who looks capable of reversing form with a turnaround in the weights of 6lb. The key to the Thirsk contest was the draw, and Online Alexander was trapped wider than ideal, making her fourth-place finish more meritorious than it first appears. She will again need some luck if she’s going to come from behind here, but is well drawn in stall fifteen, and I expect a gap will appear eventually on the rail, assuming Shane Gray is patient enough to wait for it. He takes over from Amy Ryan, and can still claim a valuable 3lb, which is a bonus in a race where the margins are likely to be narrow.

CHESTER SATURDAY

3.05 HALEWOOD INTERNATIONAL MAIDEN STAKES (5F16Y)

I don’t normally tip hoses in maiden races, but I did go to the trouble of entering Joe Tuite’s Field Of Vision in my notebook despite being beaten in a similar event at Brighton last time. The fact he’s tasted defeat at that unfashionable venue, allied to the presence of runners from more powerful yards should ensure that the colt goes off at a decent price. Field Of Vision was well backed at Brighton, and looked in full control when kicked for home with a quarter of a mile remaining (traded at the basement price on Betfair) only to succumb to the strong finish of Art Collection. He certainly didn’t shirk the issue in my eyes, and it’s probable that John Egan simply committed him too soon. His natural pace and professional bearing should stand him in good stead at the Roodee, and it will take an above-average sort to beat him.