MUSSELBURGH

SATURDAY

1.55 EDINBURGH GIN’S SEASIDE GIN HANDICAP 1M 4F 104Y

With respect to the others, it’s very hard to oppose the progressive Reverend Jacobs here, given that the selection promises to be suited by the stiffest test of stamina he’s encountered and is drawn to make all the running as he did in impressive style at York on his most recent start.

On that occasion, he beat another unexposed improver in the shape of Zeelander, as well as 15 other rivals, and on that evidence he remains on a very workable mark despite being raised 8lbs for his exertions.

His shrewd trainer has him entered again at Pontefract on Monday as well as in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle at the end of the month and he is presumably earmarked for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He would need to see his handicap mark go up the best part of a stone for that to be a realistic assignment, but the spate of entries suggests that Haggas thinks he can achieve the required rating, and if so, this should be a formality.

2.30 EDINBURGH GIN SCOTTISH SPRINT CUP HANDICAP 5F 1Y

Last weekend’s Dash at Epsom provides some clues to this valuable contest as does the valuable handicap won by Mr Lupton at York two weeks ago. El Astronaute confirmed his status as a reliable speedster when caught close home in the latter contest and it’s no surprise to see him head the market with a seemingly favourable draw to go with his blazing speed.

He’ll have plenty of company on the front end, however, with Dash also-rans Caspian Prince and Dark Shot, as well as old foe Major Jumbo hassling him for the early lead, and that may allow something to come from off the pace, with last year’s winner Line Of Reason and Move In Time heading the shortlist.

Line Of Reason was only seventh in a race won by El Astronaute at York last month, but caught the eye finishing well from a poor position and he’s dropped 7lbs below his winning mark from 12 months ago. It is perhaps significant that the York contest saw early speed hold up throughout the race and he probably deserves extra credit for being able to make any late gains at all. He’s trained by a real specialist at this discipline and can be expected to be well prepared for this assignment.

Move In Time also represents Midgley here, and like the selection, had falled to a lenient mark before bursting back to form at Newmaket last time. He’s still well treated on the form he showed for Bryan Smart, and it would be no surprise to see him follow up. Both of those have single-figure draws, which are often deemed a disadvantage at Musselburgh, but the results of this particular contest in recent years show that assumption to be misleading when dealing with high-class sprinters, and the advantage which is conferred by a low draw is the greater likelihood of a clear run. That factor is not insignificant.

HAYDOCK SATURDAY

2.50 BETWAY PINNACLE STAKES (GROUP 3) 1M 3F 175Y

Cribbs Causeway has been a remarkable success story for her connections, and Roger Charlton’s filly can continue her ascent by winning this Group 3 contest after taking the eye at York last time.

It’s debatable whether a rather pedestrian pace over the trip was in her favour on the Knavesmire, but she made what looked like it might be a decisive move in the straight before finding speedier rivals a little too strong, and that run may also have been needed after an absence. She certainly looked very much at home in stakes company, and with a stronger pace likely to show her in an even better light, she is taken to add to her five victories in 2017.

God Given has a favourite’s chance on the ratings, but Luca Cumani is struggling to hit form, with just a couple of winners in the last six months, a far cry from the glory days of the 1980s.

3.25 BETWAY ACHILLES STAKES (LISTED) 5F

Muthmir wasn’t beaten far in the Temple Stakes here, but it would be dangerous to take the form at face value, and the best recent effort here comes from Judicial, whose neck second to Mabs Cross in the Palace House Stakes is probably more solid, and gives him the clear beating of Muthmir in any case, with Michael Dods’s filly a close fourth in the Temple on the same terms. Julie Camacho has had a couple of winners from just seven runners in June, and this gelding is ideally suited by prevailing conditions.

The six-year-old is a late developer, and has been threatening to come good in pattern company for a while, so while Muthmir’s best form gives him an edge, Judicial looks the more likely to produce the goods here.

RECOMMENDED

LINE OF REASON 2.30 Musselburgh – 1pt e/w @ 12/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral)

MOVE IN TIME 2.30 Musselburgh – 0.5pt e/w @ 8/1 (general)

CRIBBS CAUSEWAY 2.50 Haydock – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Bet365)

Rory leads

RORY Delargy currently holds a substantial lead in the Racing Post naps table and is displaying a profit of £23.50 for a £1 stake this month