13:50 Musselburgh

Saturday 20 April 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:1517:45

Silver Arrow Handicap

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 27.21s

(5)

Lake Volta¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97| D

13/2

Returns to action on last summer's Epsom (7f, soft) winning mark. Lumping weight here and may need the run, however. Stable in excellent form.

Form: 633767-

(3)

Three Saints Bay¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| D

6/1

Four-time career winner (6f-1m); remains 4lb above latest winning mark but has enjoyed a C&D spin this month (good to firm; 9-1) and ran with plenty encouragement. Should have more to offer eased 1lb for 2L fourth there.

Form: 13204-4

(8)

Brian The Snail²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92

8/1

Hit and miss performer whose four turf wins have come over 5f/6f. Didn't appear to relish first crack at a mile on reappearance at Doncaster last month, but stays this far and lurks on a decent mark here; handles any ground.

Form: 00984-0

(1)

Porth Swtan¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: G Moss| OR: 92| CD

5/2

Three wins in five turf runs last year for trainer Charles Hills arrived from 7f-1m2f. Poor AW debut on final start for that handler but fine C&D win this month on debut for these connections and must be considered from 3lb higher.

Form: 81180-1

(6)

Commander Han²⁰⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90| D

17/2

Lightly-raced and just 1-10 record so far, win coming on the AW at Chelmsford 14 months ago. Ran well in good handicaps at that track in the autumn, suggesting this mark isn't beyond him, and capable of going well fresh.

Form: 805532-

(10)

Raselasad¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R Ffrench| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 89| CD

13/2

C&D winner in August 2017 (made all); ended last season with his third career win when adopting similar forcing tactics at Catterick and only overhauled by one back here (7f, good to firm) on reappearance this month. Claims with mark untouched.

Form: 60351-2

(4)

Hayadh¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 89| CD

11/2

C&D winner in October on penultimate start of last term, made pleasing start back when under 2L third over C&D in race won by Porth Swtan here earlier this month. Fitter now and 4lb better off with the winner.

Form: 83010-3

(2)

Parys Mountain^h¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

14/1

Ended last season with successive 7f wins at Catterick and Redcar, latest off a mark of 82. Plenty more on his plate from career-high mark and has tended to need the run.

Form: 590311-

(9)

Ower Fly²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 87| D

25/1

Gained fifth career success (5-34 now) when scoring over 6f (good to firm) at Pontefract last summer. Struggled thereafter but returns to action rated 3lb lower as a result. Has won off a layoff in the past, so worth monitoring.

Form: 45560-0

(7)

Garrick²⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| BF

33/1

Made a winning debut on AW at Newcastle over 1m (February 2017) and developed into a consistent handicapper on turf over 1m2f (four runs) during 2018. Final start was a poor one, and something to prove dropping right back in trip.

Form: 172/327-

Forecasts

Porth Swtan (5/2), Hayadh (11/2), Three Saints Bay (6/1), Lake Volta (13/2), Raselasad (13/2), Brian The Snail (8/1), Commander Han (17/2), Parys Mountain (14/1), Ower Fly (25/1), Garrick (33/1)

PORTH SWAN had Raselasad, Hayadh and Three Saints Bay behind him in a C&D handicap earlier in the month on debut for trainer Garry Moss. He was well on top at the finish and while the placed horses are respected once more, he can defy the 3lb rating-rise to confirm that verdict. Brian The Snail is potentially on a workable mark and will handle any ground while similar sentiments apply to Ower Fly on his seasonal bow. Commander Han is another worthy of a betting check with any confidence noted.