4.00pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 05/08/2016

Our horse-by-horse race preview for the valuable 1m6f handicap on Friday’s Musselburgh card is below. Our betting tips focus on a class-dropper from the Richard Fahey stable.

IN SUMMARY: Roger Varian’s 5yo Steve Rogers is not yet fully exposed and, after his close second over today’s trip at Ascot last month, it’s easy to understand why he’s been made favourite. However, he was always well placed in a tactical race that day and ready preference is for GABRIAL THE HERO, who was ahead of Steve Rogers when running with credit in both the Chester Cup and the Northumberland Plate, and is sure to find this race easier. Dawn Missile has disappointed on both starts this season but it would be reckless to write him off at this stage and he also enters calculations.

1 Mijhaar – Useful hurdler over the last couple of years for John Ferguson and, having changed hands for £16,000 in April, wasn’t disgraced in the John Smith’s Cup at York (10.3f, good) when back on the Flat for new yard last month; in calmer waters here and will probably be better suited by today’s trip in this sphere now.

2 Vive Ma Fille – Well beaten after setting strong pace over 2m2f at Newbury on latest outing but that defeat shouldn’t be viewed too harshly and he was placed off today’s mark over about 2m on consecutive starts beforehand; no surprise if she bounces back and goes well.

3 Steve Rogers – Disappointed when favourite for the Chester Cup in May but didn’t run badly in the Northumberland Plate in June and comes here after close second at Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) last month; only been nudged up 1lb for latest run and might still have some improvement to come.

4 Gabrial The Hero – Seemingly aided by added cheekpieces when winning consecutive AW starts in December (1m4f/2m) and returned to action with excellent fourth in the Chester Cup in May; also ran well in the Northumberland Plate when last in action and commands respect in this easier race.

5 Dawn Missile – Ran poorly when sent to the Curragh for seasonal debut in June and never really threatened when eight in first-time hood at Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) last month; has something to prove now but is back on the same mark as when going very close in a valuable Haydock contest (1m6f, good to soft) in September, and first-time cheekpieces might help to get him back on track.

6 Zand – Has a French Listed success (in 2014) to his name but is yet to hit the target in Britain; attractively weight on pick of last year’s form but quickly weakened out of contention at Ascot (1m4f) on latest outing and has more to prove than some of these.

7 Intense Tango – Went well from the front when second at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last month and runs off the same mark here; will be fine back on turf but is up in class this time and will probably find it hard to dominate this field.

8 Cape Of Glory – Began year with two AW wins for James Tate (1m2f/1m3f) but returned from break with two disappointing 1m4f turf runs and was then sold for £27,000; probably ridden too aggressively from the front in first-time blinkers on the more recent occasion, though, and might get back on track for Keith Dalgleish soon; now sports cheekpieces.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 Steve Rogers, Gabrial The Hero, Dawn Missile, 6/1 Vive Ma Fille, Intense Tango, 10/1 Mijhaar, 14/1 Zand, Cape Of Glory