Musselburgh Saturday 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.

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.

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.

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.

Zeshov's form guide around here merits three victories from five start over the mile trip, as he heads back to the Scottish track for the Like Racing TV on Facebook Handicap.

Has been out of form on both runs this season, but he is back down onto a decent feasible mark and surely that should give him the initiative to return to his best form.

Plenty arrive in this race with something to prove, and hopefully Rebecca Bastiman's experienced eight-year-old can capitalise.

Chances.

The 4:40 contest is the Follow @racingtv on Twitter Selling Stakes - a seller over a mile-and-a-half, and this event might be as best as guesswork.

Clayton looks the best of these given his hurdling form for Gary Moore of late - winning at Fakenham a month ago over the bare two miles, having finished a close second twice at Lingfield in January.

Has not run on the flat for over 1,000 days but he is pretty useful; digging deep into his older form, he landed a nice race on the July Course at Newmarket for Kevin Ryan back in 2013, so does have the potential to go forward again in this category.

Aged in double figures now, and you question how long his legs will put up with him.

Amazing Grazing can take Division I of the racingtv.com Handicap in another difficult looking race, for a trainer seeking a straight hat-trick of wins in this race.

No win since this time last year at Hamilton would be a slight concern, but he looks a big player if handling the ground off the back of his winter all-weather form.

He went close at Wolverhampton the last twice, and has been knocking at the door for a little while now.

The five-year-old's best form does notably come the further you go north, and there are not too many venues above Musselburgh.

Claims.

Division II of the racingtv.com Handicap over five furlongs can go the way of Our Place In Loule, who was one of our winning NAP's at this track three weeks ago.

That effort landed a hat-trick of victories in East Lothian, and on Saturday he will go for a historic four-timer for Noel Wilson, who not many will know about.

Has acquired the outstanding services of Paul Hanagan - who is one of the north's best jockeys, and will surely look hard to beat currently flowing with confidence.

His last three victories have come over six, and connections seem to value him at five too.

Big player.