ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Each-Way Double for Musselburgh

In the Silver Arrow, Michael Dods NORTHERN EXPRESS (best price 12/1) looks a decent each-way bet, who came very close to winning this last year when beaten just half-a-length when surging home late into the action to be nearest the finish. 

An uncharacteristic slow start and a blocked passage proved his undoing and neither of those things cannot afford to happen at a track like Musselburgh but he did well to get as close as he did to winning when finally in the clear and since then, he has been extremely consistent. 

He won at York off 88 and fared very well in his next four starts, including when splitting two horses who were 99 at the time back at the same venue. That form alone gives him a good chance here off 93 and his record first-time-out reads 132 from three starts. 

Stall 1 won’t be an issue, as Connor Beasley is likely to drop him in and get plenty of cover, which is ideal. He is only a pound higher than when an eye-catching fourth of 21 at Ascot in July, where he mixed it with some of the best handicappers around and his claims are more than positive to warrant a bet at the odds. 

The standout bet in the Scottish Cup is Ed Walker’s CAME FROM THE DARK (best price 11/2) who returns to the turf from a two pounds lower mark than when a narrow third in this race two years ago, where in hindsight, he should have won.

He fared best of those held-up though, as he made relentless progress inside the final furlong when he glided his way through the field to only be touched off by the thinnest of margins in a three-way blanket finish. 

Since then, he has won twice, including a Group Three (rated 108) and has come down in the handicap since. He is the only Group winner in the field and the fact that Oisin Murphy comes here to ride, suggests a huge run is anticipated. 

He is also a lot better off at the weights with last year’s winner Zarzyni on the 2021 form when they were second and third and only a short head separated them at the line. He has a great chance. Four places generally available. 

Additional Musselburgh Tips

In the opener in Scotland, the Royal Mile, Archie Watson’s MANITOU (best price 4/1) is fancied to make a winning reappearance from what is a lenient mark ahead of his handicap debut as he drops significantly in grade with the step up to a mile worth an experiment. 

He filled the third spot in his first two starts behind useful opponents, including Streets Of Gold at Newmarket, who’s won three times since, before making the most of an easy opportunity at Chepstow next time when sent off a short-price favourite. 

His next target was in France, where he was sent off a strong favourite to succeed in a Listed event but unfortunately he could only manage seventh. Even so, this race is easier and with Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson’s strike-rate at this course taken into account, he should go close. 

This year’s Queen's Cup has a really open feel about it and while Good Show could be the potential improver, his price seems skinny now and preference is for the top-weight OUTBOX (best price 16/1) who has the class to figure for the Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle combination with four places generally available. 

This eight-year-old ran a good race to only be beaten two lengths into third in a Group Two on his return last season when right in behind two horses rated 110 and 119. He is remarkably consistent and this will be his first handicap start on the turf in a long time plus he is the clear highest rated runner in the field. 

He hasn’t won for nearly two years but has held his form well since and that win over Logician is the strongest piece of form in the line-up. He gets his conditions, goes well fresh and both his trainer and jockey do well at this venue. Despite carrying such a big weight, I can see this talented runner going well. 

The last time he ran over this trip of one-mile-five-furlongs, on similar ground (good to soft) he pushed Group 1 winner Hukum close at York and he doesn’t face any horse in the same calibre here. He is the best horse in the race and hopefully his class can see him run well with plenty in his favour.