Alan Thomson’s Tips: Bet on Black at Musselburgh

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JACOB BLACK (8.10) was the subject of a huge gamble last night and is a best-priced 11-2 shot this morning to land the 7f Class 6 handicap at Musselburgh.

The seven-year-old was once a serious racehorse for Keith Dalgleish, landing a Sandown handicap under Frankie Dettori off a mark of 88. However, that was back in May 2015 and Jacob Black gradually fell out of love with racing.

After a series of dismal efforts he ended up with Kenny Johnson last season but following eight undistinguished runs, Jacob Black is back with Dalgleish.

This evening Jacob Black lines up in a very weak handicap off a basement mark of 49, has the favoured good to firm ground he won off at Sandown and is nicely berthed in stall five. His recent form is deplorable but money talks and if Dalgleish has managed to rekindle Jacob Black’s enthusiasm, he would be a blot. Jacob Black could blow out again but I’ll take a chance and follow the cash.

Paul Hanagan has been operating at an amazing 20 per cent strike-rate, with many of his winners coming for Richard Fahey. They teamed up in the familiar Sir Robert Ogden pink and white checks to score with well-backed The Navigator at Thirsk on Monday and Hanagan dons the same silks aboard NORTHWEST FRONTIER (7.10) in the 1m 4f handicap.

The gelding has disappointed in the past but this is his best opening for some time, with the handicapper dropping him 2lb following an encouraging sixth to Starplex at Thirsk. He hasn’t been risked on a fast surface in the past, so hopefully there isn’t any jar in the ground.

The 1m 6f handicap is a shocker, with 46-rated Elite Icon put in a 2-1 favourite. Iain Jardine’s gelding scored on heavy ground at Carlisle last September, a couple of weeks after running fourth here on quicker ground. The yard had a couple of stinkers at Newcastle earlier this week and I’ll look elsewhere.

LONDON GLORY (8.40) must be a serious each-way bet at 6-1. On his only previous visit to Musselburgh last October, London Glory was beaten a neck by Jonny Delta off a 3lb higher mark.

Forget his last start at Newcastle when finishing last to a Godolphin horse as he was miles out of the handicap. Previously, he finished eight lengths in front of this evening’s top weight Overhaugh Street when they were fifth and eighth respectively behind Cape Banjo at Wolverhampton in March. London Glory was only a couple of lengths behind Theglasgowwarrior (runs 7.10) and that’s good form in this grade.

At Lingfield, PLAYFULL SPIRIT (4.30) doesn’t look overburdened off a mark of 72 on her handicap debut.

She led the field at a good clip until weakening out of the picture at Newmarket’s Craven fixture in the 7f event won by promising Sheika Reika and John Gosden’s drops the filly to six furlongs. Playfull Spirit probably doesn’t have scope for a lot of improvement but should be sharp enough to see off principal danger Belated Breath.

Recommended bets

• Musselburgh 8.10 – Jacob Black (11-2, Ladbrokes)
• Musselburgh 7.10 – Northwest Frontier (11-4, bet365)
• Musselburgh 8.40 – London Glory ew (6-1, bet365)
• Lingfield 4.30 – Playfull Spirit (15-8, bet365)

Johnb's Thursday Tips

• Redcar 3:10 – Robsdelight 11-4 bet365
• Southwell 3:50 – Monks Stand 5-4 paddy power NAP
• Redcar 4:40 – Contrebasse 11-1 paddy power eachway 1/4 odds 1-2-3
• Redcar 5:10 – Plansina 9-2 skybet
• Southwell 5:20 – Scrafton 15-8 paddy power NB

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