4.35pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 31/08/2017

A field of eight go to post for this low-grade handicap at Musselburgh on Thursday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Jack Blane remains consistent and has run well in three starts since moving to the Keith Dalgleish yard. He doesn’t appeal for win purposes though with his overall record looking poor so preference is for TRICK OF THE LYTE. He has now fallen to a mark that is thirteen pounds below his last winning one, with signs of a revival on his latest two starts. A return to better ground will suit and he can break his long losing run here.

1 TAGUR – Front-runner for Kevin Ryan who’s been less than impressive on his last three runs, well beaten on all three occasions. He went out like a light on his latest start at Catterick and the handicapper has given him a chance by dropping him four pounds, though this fourteen race maiden isn’t one to trust. He’s now on a career low mark and couldn’t be discounted entirely for placings, but he shouldn’t prove good enough to win this.

2 JACK BLANE – Has run well on two of his three starts for Keith Dalgleish, last seen at Ayr where he kept on strongly to finish second. He remains on the same mark and a similar performance will see him go close here, though a strong pace would certainly be preferable as he does tend to come home far too late. He’s an each way player under Graham Lee with conditions fine but he should find at least one of these too good.

3 MY GIRL MAISIE – Back to her best on her latest start at Redcar, keeping on well to finish second in a six furlong handicap at Redcar five days ago. She is only one pound higher here and would be a key player if replicating that form, but the step up in trip does temper enthusiasm as she’s looked a non-stayer in the past. The Guest yard continues to struggle for winners at present and others are preferred.

4 QUIET MOMENT – Finished second on his debut at Nottingham back in July 2016, but that remains his best effort and he’s been mainly very regressive. He could only manage fifth on his latest start, making no impression and he’s since moved to the Keith Dalgleish yard. He’s only three pounds lower here and the step up in trip is far from guaranteed to suit, so he’s passed over on this occasion.

5 COSMIC SKY – Got off the mark at the tenth attempt when scoring comfortably at Thirsk in a selling handicap in July, raised six pounds as a result. He now moves into tougher company though and more is needed off this inflated mark, facing some much sterner opposition that last time. He’s a strong each way contender if building on that latest run but he’s not an obvious type to follow up.

6 TRICK OF THE LYTE – Three year old son of Kodiac who hasn’t been at his best of late for John Quinn, but he’s now down to a mark that cannot be ignored. He is thirteen pounds below his last winning mark, showing signs of a revival on his latest start when sixth at Catterick, perhaps given too much to do that day. He’s three pounds lower here and with the better ground a likely plus, he is taken to break his losing streak here.

7 I DARE TO DREAM – Very modest filly who is still a maiden after nine starts, failing to reach the top five in all of those races for Lisa Williamson. She was beaten a very long way when sixth on her latest start at Thirsk and never threatened to get involved. She is two pounds lower in the handicap here but that does very little to tempt and other are readily preferred.

8 HOT GOSSIP – Failed to beat a rival in all three of her maidens for Dianne Sayer and things didn’t improve on handicap debut, where she finished ninth, always well behind. She makes no appeal here off only two pounds lower.