JOHN Berry has a tremendous record when he sends his horses north of the border and his Hakam looks a likely sort in the McEwan's 70/- Handicap over a mile and one furlong at Musselburgh this afternoon.
The three-year-old has been brought along steadily and he turned in easily his best effort to date at this course last time when third to Pepper Road over a mile.
And he would have finished closer than the distance he was beaten had he not been short of room in the last quarter mile.
This extra distance is sure to be in his favour and he's taken to beat Granite City, who loves it around here. American Cousin, so impressive when winning by five lengths at Beverley on Saturday, can follow up in the five furlong handicap.
David Nicholls' runner had been threatening to return to form and a seven pound penalty may not be enough to stop him again.
Although the ground is quicker here, he's effective on this faster surface and he has a fair draw in stall seven. Nicholls can also be on the mark with Hyde Park in division 2 of the Selling Handicap over a mile at 4.45.
Although he hasn't been at his best of late, he's certainly on a fair mark and this track suits his front-running style. At Ripon's evening fixture Bold Amusement makes plenty of appeal in the Market Place Seller over a mile and a quarter. Despite his advancing years he still retains plenty of zest for his racing and he has been anything but disgraced so far this term. This fast ground should suit much better than at Ayr and his high draw looks a huge advantage.
Tim Easterby's horses are in good form and his Travelling Times could go well from a favourable low draw in the Ripon, Cathedral City of The Dales Handicap over six furlongs.
A high draw is a big advantage on fast ground at Windsor and Lively Lady looks the one to be on in the windsor-racecourse.co.uk Handicap over six furlongs.
The mare goes well for Pat Eddery and shaped well enough over 5f at this course on her reappearance last month.
Sure to be better for that run, she's sure to go close.
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