Despite having a wide stall, Ray Dawson managed to get a prominent position on Influential, and it was key.
He's riding at the top of his game, and it shows. He tacked across from a wide stall and sat in second spot. His horse was going nicely when the leader came under pressure, and when Ray asked for the horse to pick up, he did. He had enough in the tank to fend off the fast finishers. There was a 10p rule 4 on the win.
Lauren Young didn't give Pearl Eye the best of rides. I can forgive her, as she is a 5lb claimer, but it doesn't make it any less painful when you realise the horse wasn't that far away at the end.
It was clear as day that the horse was poorly positioned, as the two of the top three were in first and second for the whole race. My selection was towards the back and went wide around the bend, but stuck to the task to lose by just over a couple of lengths.
Percy's Lad 10/1 (0.5pt EW, 3pl) – Musselburgh 4.25
I don't think that there's a clear standout horse for this race. Bellarchi is probably the one to beat given her form at the track, and she is in good form at present. My only problem with her is that her handicap mark is creeping up, and it's not a guarantee that she can win off this high. Due to it being competitive, I wanted to chance Percy's Lad.
One of the main selling points for giving this horse's chance is that Daniel & Clare Kubler have only had two runners at this track in the last five years, resulting in one win and one runner-up. I think that's fair to say that they don't waste money on travel to this track, unless they have a solid chance of winning.
In which case, it gives me confidence that this out of form horse is coming to boil. He wasn't seen last year, but prior to that, he was a very good handicapper and won plenty of races. This year, he has run twice, both from the front. On both occasions, he got tired and well back through the field, but last time was an improvement on his reappearance. If his fitness is at the best it can be, then he has to be in with a chance.
There is other pace horses in this race, so if the pace is being pushed from others, I'd like to see Tom Eaves sitting behind them.
GambleAware