3.00pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 05/05/2017

A field of eight go to post for the third race of the day at Musselburgh on Friday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Although she has posted a similar level of form form since winning at Beverley on her second start, SEDUCE ME returned with zest at Pontefract last month and looks dangerous with that run under her belt. She should come on for the run and the fact she came home strongly suggests the step up in trip should help her to no end under today’s rider Joey Haynes. She can take advantage of being on the same mark to beat Atteq, who won easily on her latest start when putting Dapper Man to the sword and looks chief danger.

1 THOMAS CRANMER – Won on his first start in maiden company when making most at Chester after gamely battling back when headed two furlongs from home, falling at the same venue a few months later when in third place and making up further ground. He returned this season when disappointing at Southwell in April, only managing third after being keen early on, though he perhaps can be forgiven it as it was his seasonal debut and he remains with potential. Down two pound in the handicap and he has leading claims.

2 PROUD ARCHI – Won on debut at Beverley in June 2016 and he ran well in defeat on most of his starts since, not showing much improvement throughout his two year old season. He did however showed marked improvement when winning on seasonal debut at Beverley last month, holding on gamely towards the finish from a strong challenger in the final furlong. Raised 4lb as a result but he does remain with scope for progress for a yard who are in the winners at present. Conditions are to suit and Paul Mulrennan retains the ride, so he should be on the premises once again.

3 SEDUCE ME – Won on her second start for Karl Burke when taking a fillies’ maiden at Ripon in July though she hasn’t gone on from that and has displayed a similar level of form on all six of her subsequent starts. She did return with a good deal of zest at Pontefract last month when forth which does give hope for better and this step up in trip should be ideal as she was coming home strongly late on. Joey Haynes takes the ride and off the same mark, she should be putting in a stern challenge. Respected.

4 ATTEQ – Was a seven race maiden who was starting to become frustrating before the addition of the tongue tie had a drastic effect, storming clear at Beverley on his latest start for a seven length success under Adam McNamara. He is 4lb well in under penalty for this and if the tongue tie has the same effect he has to be considered hugely dangerous for the Richard Fahey team, who are putting winners in for fun at present.

5 MR COCO BEAN – Has shown definite ability in three maidens for Ann Duffield, with perhaps his best effort coming on debut where he overcame greenness to finish a running on third at Newcastle in September. He made his seasonal debut at Redcar three weeks ago when finishing sixth, which was a good effort considering he’d been off the track for six months. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 72 and he may well find his level now handicapping, though this is a tough race and he does need more to feature. Each way claims under Shane Gray with the yard hitting a bit of a flat spot at present.

6 MAMA AFRICA – Now a ten race maiden who is very much exposed, showing little to no improvement including on her latest start where she was upped to the mile and the blinkers were enlisted, only able to finish fifth and never looking threatening. Handicapper has only relented a pound and she doesn’t look a likely candidate for David Barron as she’s facing some up and coming rivals who are looking progressive.

7 DAPPER MAN – Now zero from seven for Roger Fell and he’s another who hasn’t gone on from some good runs earlier in his career, well beaten on handicap debut at Newcastle in March after being all but tailed off. He posted an improved effort on his latest start when dropped 5lb in the handicap to finish second at Beverley, the issue is that he finished seven lengths behind Atteq. He doesn’t meet her on much better terms and a turn around looks very much unlikely, with a minor honour the best he can hope for if some principles under perform.

8 THE BARD’S ADVICE – Only four runs for Keith Dalgleish so far and although she has shown ability in most of those, she’s going to need much more to be threatening for a yard that are struggling for winners of late. She was well beaten on handicap debut at Newcastle on her latest start and the step back up in trip will need a drastic effect if she’s to be threatening, as the handicapper has only dropped her 2lb. It’s early days, granted, but others make far more appeal.