ITV Racing Preview - 20/04/2019

The Silver Arrow Handicap kicks off eight races from Musselburgh on Saturday, and Porth Swtan can get us offer to a flyer in the seven furlong contest, in what looks not a very rich race in quality.

This four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit returned in style three weeks ago to land the spoils over course and distance for his new trainer, and a 3lb rise does not look harsh for his efforts.Despite ending last year on a bit of an unknown point, he had a fine record for Charlie Hills and was a regular in Class Two Handicaps, winning twice at Newmarket before striking at Beverley in September.

Decent mark, and can go follow up here with the help of a useful draw.

Hat-trick seeking Hijran is a deserved market leader in the second race of the day but at a healthy 10/1 we like the chances of CAUSE TOUJOURS.

It is hard to get away from the form of his second in a listed event at this course in November, where he was sandwiched between two subsequent winners, one of whom went on to win at Grade2 level.Handles conditions.

Tough to split those at the forefront of the market for the Royal Mile Handicap, but we have opted to side with the Hugo Palmer-trained On The Line.

Pulled clear with an unexposed winner at Redcar on his latest start - the pair [Absolutio] were five lengths to the good over the third Reloaded, and appears to be going the right way now back on the turf.

His winter spell on the artificial surface proved what fine progression he has made, most recently winning at the home of the All-weather Championships a month ago by an easy three lengths.

Certainly respected amongst the leading credentials, and surely looks more reliable than the handicap debutant Politicise, who will need to be something special.

The Staying Chase Series Final has an open look to it with Sue Smith’s The Paddy Pie having every chance based on his course win back in February, but Jonjo O’Neil’s QUARENTA is an unexposed staying chaser who did it nicely last time out.

The fashion in which he cruised from last to first really caught the eye and we are expecting a similarly patient ride from STD.

A punter's favourite - Eeh Bah Gum makes his seasonal reappearance for Tim Easterby in the Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap, having had a seven month winter break.

Despite his long layoff, we are not too worried over his sharpness due to how well he does go fresh - he returned to the track twelve months ago at Thirsk to finish a not-far-away fourth at odds of 66/1, before going onto win his next four on the spin.

He will love the good strong ground which is not always guaranteed in the north, and could have plenty more to offer this season after progressing very nicely as a three-year-old.Rachel Richardson takes the ride.

Ian Williams has sent out a few winners this week and he has three at the foot of the weights here, with the pick of the bunch being Faithful Mount, who is greatly respected following back-to-back second places.

The 3lb rise in weights added to the omission of a 7lb claimer leaves him needing to find improvement however, and Tim Vaughan’s TRIXTER meets calmer waters having tried his hand in a Graded race last month.

He did too much too soon that day in testing conditions and will be better suited by this race.

Once again, the Queen's Cup Stakes looks another closely-fought affair, and it is tough to split some of those in the field.However, the lightly-raced Ulster from Archie Watson's yard just gets the verdict, as he makes his first ever start on the turf.

Five career starts have all taken place on the all-weather, and after a lengthy injury in 2017, he returned in January with a couple of good wins at Kempton, before losing by a head at both Wolverhampton and at the Sunbury venue once more as he rose up the classes.

Confidence is growing, and should have learned to knuckle down to his task now; should have every chance of producing a solid effort under Hollie Doyle - who is in smashing form of late.