Musselburgh preview: Circuitous to gain deserved success
Published:
Circuitous has been knocking on the door of late and can gain a deserved success in the 7f handicap on today’s card at Musselburgh (17.00).
The Keith Dalgleish trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing the 2013 running of the class 2 Ayr Bronze Cup over 6f off a mark of 78.
Circuitous is now able to race off just 65, 13lb lower, and that gives the son of Fasliyev major claims from a handicapping perspective.
The seven-year-old also comes in the race on the back of a string of solid efforts to make the frame in his last four starts.
They include an excellent neck second at Hamilton when collared in the dying strides and a good two length third at Kempton last time out when not ridden positively enough by jockey Tom Queally.
Circuitous is now reunited with Joe Fanning, who gets a really good tune out of him, and this weak class 6 contest looks a golden opportunity for him to belatedly get back on the scoresheet.
In the 5f handicap (16.30), Clouds Rest is dangerously well-treated on the pick of her form and can go well at a big price.
The Richard Fahey trained filly was last successful at Beverley 15 months ago when bolting up by four lengths off a mark of 79.
Clouds Rest went on to finish a fair third at Carlisle off her revised mark of 85, but her form then tailed off after she was raised another 3lb to 88.
The three-year-old has also failed to trouble the judge in eight starts this season, but some of those runs have not been devoid of promise.
They include a three length fourth at Thirsk four starts back off a rating of 79, where the daughter of Showcasing showed plenty of early dash until being headed a furlong from home and unable to find any extra.
Clouds Rest is now able to race in this off just 73, 6lbs lower than when last successful, and also has the services of Sammy Joe Bell in the saddle whose claim takes off another 3lb.
That makes Clouds Rest too well-treared to ignore, and from a decent draw in stall 12 she could take some pegging back if securing an early lead.
Selections:
14.00: Rosamaria
14.30: Rose Marmara
15.00: Stags Leap
15.30: Desert Encounter
16.00: Silver Shuffle
16.30: Clouds Rest (NB)
17.00: Circuitous (NAP)
17.30: American Hustle
