Paul Midgley has been hitting the crossbar quite a bit of late but he found the back of the net last Saturday when one of his many sprinters won the Dash on Derby day and he could be celebrating again on Saturday afternoon at Musselburgh. In the day’s big betting race, the Scottish Sprint Cup, his Line Of Reason (2.30) has an excellent chance of following up his win in the same race a year ago.
Remarkably he gets to run from a rating half a stone lower than he had that day, the consequence of a losing run which will hopefully end here. He stayed on in eye-catching fashion at York last time and it was interesting to see him attracting some support in the market on Friday, his price being shortened from an opening 12-1 down to 9s.
It could be significant that eight of his 10 wins have come in June or July and he was certainly in fine form at this stage of 2017. Not only did he win this race but he followed up in a similar contest at Newcastle from a mark 10lb above the one he has now.
1.55 Musselburgh Bred to need time and distance, Reverend Jacobs finally got off the mark at the end of last year and took a big step forward when beating 16 rivals at York on his handicap debut last month. He is not one to oppose lightly.
2.15 Haydock A three-parts sister to a Listed race winner from the same yard, Sea Youmzain won with a bit in hand on her handicap debut at Nottingham last time out and should be able to follow up here in this small field.
2.50 Haydock The German trainer Markus Klug had the third in last week’s Coronation Cup and was evidently impressed by the ride Silvestre de Sousa gave the big-priced runner-up, as he has booked him for his runner here, in a race that fell to a French raider last year. Fosun is a dual Listed race winner who put up a career best on her return to action last month.
3.05 Newmarket A slow-burner from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, Georgian Manor achieved little in landing a Beverley maiden event but is weighted accordingly and there is more to come.
3.25 Haydock If Line Of Reason does win at Musselburgh, Final Venture could complete a big day for the yard in this contest, which he also won last year. He put up an encouraging effort in a big-field York handicap last time.
3.40 Newmarket In four races last season Quloob’s only defeat was by a neck to Dubawi Fifty, who has recently run fourth in the Chester Cup from a 12lb higher mark. This marathon trip looks like suiting the selection, who has probably not peaked yet.
4.00 Haydock Beaten by only a top-class sprinter who was slumming it at Listed level last time, D’Bai would be unlucky to meet anything of that quality here. This trip could prove his optimum.
Catterick 1.45 Primeiro Boy 2.20 Pearl Noir 2.55 Collodi 3.30 Raselasad 4.05 Italian Riviera 4.40 Inviolable Spirit 5.15 Emphatic
Musselburgh 1.55 Reverend Jacobs 2.30 Line Of Reason 3.10 Woodside Wonder 3.45 Ventura Gold 4.20 On Fire 4.55 Colour Contrast 5.30 Mudawwan
Newmarket 2.00 Khaadem 2.35 Gunmetal 3.05 Georgian Manor 3.40 Quloob (nb) 4.15 Aim Of Artemis 4.50 Neverbeen To Paris (nap) 5.25 Aclimatise
Beverley 2.05 Rampant Lion 2.40 Victory Command 3.15 Wedding Date 3.50 Extra Mile 4.25 Dream Free 5.00 La Sioux 5.35 Narodowa 6.10 Kylie Rules
Haydock 2.15 Sea Youmzain 2.50 Fosun 3.25 Final Venture 4.00 D’bai 4.35 Misty Birnam 5.10 Lord Of The Glen 5.45 No I’m Easy
Lingfield 5.50 Sheila’s Rock 6.20 Ginger Nut 6.50 Embour 7.20 Tai Hang Dragon 7.50 Sweet Nature 8.20 Cat Royale 8.50 Choral Music
Stratford 6.00 Calarules 6.35 Voix D’Eau 7.05 Ashkoul 7.35 Wadswick Court 8.05 Master Ring 8.35 Buachaill Alainn 9.05 Cora Sundrop
