ROYSTON FRENCH'S decision to quit Newmarket in favour of better riding opportunities in the north has proved to be a smart move.

The Richmond-based jockey rides out for Mark Johnston at Middleham most days, but this afternoon he briefly switches allegiance to partner Roger Fisher's Beckermet (3.15) in the £60,000 Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselborough.

It's the richest race ever run at the track and as a result has attracted a field jam-packed with seriously fast horses. Bearing that in mind, plunging on in mortgage-sized bet proportions is probably not a great idea, although a small each-way wager is still advised on Beckermet (3.15).

Musselborough is one the sharpest five-furlong courses in the UK, therefore it's no use whatsoever being caught with one's pants down in the stalls. A quick exit is required and supporters of Beckermet will be fully aware that the three-year-old generally blasts out of the gates as if his very life depended on it.

French will also appreciate such tactics are the order of the day in the dash for the cash, therefore expect Royston to have the selection in the front rank throughout, hoping to gain an unassailable early lead over the likes of potentially his biggest danger, River Falcon.

Trainer Jim Goldie immediately targeted this major sprint prize after River Falcon's impressive win at York last time out. Goldie has in addition managed to once more secure the services of Kieren Fallon, which normally spells trouble for the opposition, even though the hold-up combination will need to thread their way through the pack close home.

l Channel 4 have announced that should the Test match between England and Bangladesh finish early today they will add the 1.30 and 2.00 races at Doncaster and the 2.10 at Musselburgh to their coverage.

l Racing UK will this weekend celebrate its first-year anniversary by showing their meetings today and tomorrow as free-to-view.

l Milton Bradley will be mob-handed in both the big races at Musselburgh today, the VC Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Heritage Handicap and the consolation Sprint Trophy.

Each of the veteran Chepstow handler's two runners in the feature £60,000 contest, Cape Royal and Whistler, prefer different ground and Bradley is waiting to see what conditions are like at the Edinburgh venue.

The pair ran in a Goodwood handicap last week, where Whistler landed the spoils with Cape Royal back in eighth.

''It depends on the ground,'' said Bradley.

''If it stays dry, then Cape Royal could reverse the placings, but if it is soft, then Whistler has the best chance.

''Both are in good form but it doesn't take much for things to go wrong in a sprint handicap.''

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