With Roman Villa a significant absentee, the day's feature race at Musselburgh, the John Smith's Scottish County Handicap Hurdle, looks booked for Along The Nile (3.30). Keith Reveley's gelding is closely matched with Folk Tune on course and distance running in December, but his latest run at the track was arguably better. Under a double penalty, Along The Nile finished a highly creditable second behind Halla San and he looks fairly handicapped on that evidence.
Astarador, from the Howard Johnson stable, looks a danger to Along The Nile, and the Johnson stable should go close earlier on the card with Backbeat (2.00). Right back to form with a convincing win over fences at sandown, Backbeat reverts to hurdles on a mark 21lb lower. Provided Richard Johnson makes plenty of use of his stamina, Backbeat should be effective over this two and a half miles trip.
Den's Gift (3.20) looks best at Kempton, as Baharah looks like starting a very short price in the Listed race. Just beaten for a bit of toe when third over 7f last time, Den's Gift will be uisted by the return to a mile here. He is lightly raced and looks progressive.
