Andrew Asquith provides an overview of the key things to note on Tuesday.
Great Blasket worth another chance
The Smarter Gambling Starts At gambling.com Apprentice Handicap (14:30) looks a good opportunity for the James Owen-trained Great Blasket to prove himself still well treated.
He was all the rage in the betting ahead of his stable debut at Nottingham two starts ago and he easily took advantage of a reduced mark with a visor replacing his usual blinkers, short of room around two furlongs out, but readily moving clear of his rivals under a hands-and-heels ride in the final furlong.
Great Blasket again started the odds-on favourite turned out under a penalty seven days later at Sandown, but for whatever reason he just wasn’t in the same form, having to be pushed along from three furlongs out and staying on at just the same pace.
That race had a bit more depth than this, though, and he’s well worth another chance to build on the promise of his success at Nottingham.
Bethell has good record at Musselburgh
Ed Bethell has a 25% strike rate at Musselburgh this season and Amber Hamur is expected to give him further success at the track in the Thomson Bethune Handicap (15:15).
Amber Hamur was just modest for George Boughey, but she’s shown improved form since joining Ed Bethell, building on her stable debut when opening her account at Hamilton last month.
She showed a good attitude to fend off her main market rival on that occasion, and recorded a career-best effort when following up at Ripon this month.
Amber Hamur didn’t look entirely straightforward on that occasion, but she asserted away at the finish in the manner of one who is ahead of her mark, and can make light of a 5lb rise in what doesn’t look a much deeper race kept to 0-65 company.
Viking Glory ahead of his mark
James Owen could taste further success at Lingfield later on the card with Viking Glory in the Follow @attheraces On X Handicap (16:00).
Viking Glory had been campaigned as a sprinter since joining James Owen, but he appreciated the return to seven furlongs when opening his account at Brighton earlier this month.
He was also well suited by a return to waiting tactics in first-time cheekpieces, making eye-catching headway from two furlongs out, and proving strong at the finish once taking up the lead in the final furlong.
Viking Glory was given the Horse In Focus Flag for that performance, marking him out as one to follow, and a subsequent 5lb rise in the weights shouldn’t be enough to prevent him following up.
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