Rory Delargy
MUSSELBURGH
SATURDAy
3.10 WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH TARTAN TROPHY (5F)
Three of the first four home in last year’s corresponding event clash again, and given the comments above, it wouldn’t be a surprise if either Pearl Acclaim or Meadway could defy what look modest draws, given the pair have plenty of early toe. In contrast, Olivia Fallow, who has the stands rail draw, is unlikely to be going forward quite as aggressively, which means her draw is not necessarily the advantage it looks.
On the other hand, she holds a clear edge over most of her rivals in terms of recent form, and looked better than ever when going under narrowly to Bowson Fred in a course and distance handicap a couple of weeks ago. She was able to tuck in behind the speed on that occasion, and threw down a determined challenge to the in-form winner.
It’s something of a surprise that the handicapper has dropped her a pound for that run, especially in light of Bowson Fred’s subsequent win at Chelmsford. Paul Midgley’s team are very much hitting top form now, and the daughter of Vale Of York remains relatively unexposed in sprint handicaps, so while her good draw may be something of a false flag, she should prove difficult to beat.
3.45 WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH SPRINT CUP (5F)
Kimberella looked unlucky when flying home in the Dash at Epsom last weekend after stalling on the grid, so to speak, and he’ll be all the rage from stall 17 here. The problem with him is that he’s probably going to come from off the pace even if getting away on terms. If he can get through traffic without being checked, then I’d have him down as much the likeliest winner, but there must be a big doubt about him getting an uninterrupted passage, and I’ll look elsewhere.
Thesme has fared badly with the draw on paper, but Nigel Tinkler’s filly is all speed, and it’s significant that she was able to lead Red Baron at York last month when the pair met in a competitive sprint in which they finished third and fourth behind Duke Of Firenze. Red Baron, drawn next to Thesme in stall two, is suited by this track having won this race and the consolation in recent years, but Thesme is cut from the same cloth, and I fancy her chances of getting the jump on him again, which could prove decisive, especially as she has no pace on her inside as she bids to get across, whereas Eric Alston’s gelding must get past her early if he’s to take the ideal position. Tangerine Trees can also blaze speed, but whether his legs can take him quite as fast these days is open to debate, notwithstanding his successful debut for Mick Appleby at Nottingham.
Another who ran behind Duke Of Firenze in that York contest is Royal Birth, and I’ve not lost faith in him despite another defeat on the Knavesmire since. The Stuart Williams-trained gelding must have quick ground, and a heavy shower before his latest race was his undoing. The worry is that light showers are again forecast for Musselburgh, but if they fail to materialise, I shall be backing him again off what I am certain is a lenient mark. Somewhere like Ascot in July might be where he really blossoms, but he must still be of interest in the interim.
SANDOWN SATURDAY
3.55 BETSTARS.UK MONEY BACK IF ENGLAND LOSE HANDICAP (5F)
Major Pusey made all the running when beating the well-treated Lexington Place at Haydock on Thursday, and looks set to make a quick return here. He does need to beat Ask The Guru and Pour La Victoire to get the advantage of the far rail, but ought to be capable of doing so on the evidence of recent runs, and he will be hard to peg back if in front after a furlong.
Rhiain Ingram should have no trouble getting a tune out of this straightforward type, so her claim can be seen as a bonus, and John Gallagher’s charge looks a decent bet to add to those Haydock gains.
DONCASTER SUNDAY
3.30 YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK HANDICAP (6F)
The handicapper has been very kind to Meshardal, who was running well in better races than this last season (not beaten far off a mark of 90 in the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle) and despite giving the impression that he’s slowly coming back to his best this term, finds himself dropped to a lowly mark of 78. He looks set to show that to be very lenient by winning what is admittedly a competitive looking contest of its type. It’s possibly significant that the last time he was as low in the weights was when winning a 15-runner handicap over this course and distance just over a year ago. He then carried a penalty to an agonisingly close defeat at Thirsk a few days later, and is again entered to run at that track next week. Don’t be surprised if he manages to land the quickfire double this time around.
RECOMMENDED
SATURDAY
OLIVIA FALLOW 3.10 Musselburgh 1pt win
THESME 3.45 Musselburgh 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (general)
ROYAL BIRTH 3.45 Musselburgh 1pt win @ 16/1 (various)
SUNDAY
MESHARDAL 3.30 Doncaster 1pt e/w