6.35pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 08/09/2017

A field of seven go to post for this interesting Class 4 Handicap at Musselburgh on Friday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Magical Effect had no luck on his latest start when behind Sakhee’s Return at Catterick, with the former looking sets to reverse those placings with a clear run. They will however be fighting for second place behind THOMAS CRANMER, who drops into Class 4 company for the first time since winning over course and distance back in May. In fact, he’s won off six pounds higher at this venue since and he should be very tough to beat if turning up anywhere near his best.

1 MAGICAL EFFECT – In form five year old for Ruth Carr who won three starts ago at Redcar before two good third places at both Ripon and Catterick nine days ago. He’s now eight pounds above his last winning mark but he’s clearly going the right way and he was unlucky on his latest start when blocked and hampered. He is only a pound higher here and with the yard still in good form, he looks sure to go close.

2 DARK PROFIT – Scored at Carlisle two starts ago when winning with a bit in hand for Keith Dalgleish, but he failed to catch the eye when well held on his latest start at Beverley. He’s on the same mark here and does have something to prove in a competitive race for the grade. He’s an each way contender if bouncing back with conditions just fine, but others seem more straight forward on this occasion.

3 SAKHEE’S RETURN – Inconsistent sort for Tim Easterby who returned to winning ways at Catterick on his latest start, keeping on well to mow down the second late on. He’s now four pounds higher here but his record in Class 4 handicaps is very good and a repeat of that performance under Duran Fentiman would see him going very close, with conditions perfectly fine. One to consider deeply.

4 THOMAS CRANMER – Course and distance winner back in May off a two pound lower mark but he’s won here since off six pounds higher since and although he’s been very poor of late, those runs came in a much higher grade. He was well beaten at Newmarket on his latest start, but he drops in class here for the first time since those wins and his current mark is far too attractive to ignore under Joe Fanning. Conditions are to suit and he looks tough to peg back.

5 ROARING FORTIES – Now five pounds below his last winning mark but he’s found things tough in the main this year, with his second over course and distance two starts ago his only respectable effort. The form of that race can be questioned as it was a strangely run affair and it’s hard to fancy him against some runners who quite simply have far more interesting claims.

6 JABBAAR – Finished second at Redcar three starts ago, keeping on well to snatch that position late on but he’s not been as good the last twice. He weakened tamely on his latest start at Hamilton and he now makes his debut for Iain Jardine, with seven pound claimer Jamie Gormley up for the ride. Needs the change of yard to have done him the world of good and others are less risky on this occasion.

7 ROYAL CONNOISSEUR – Can be forgiven his poor run at Pontefract two starts ago as he was upped into Class 3 company, getting back on track when last seen at Hamilton in this class. He remains on the same mark and would have each way claims if in the same form again, but he remains vulnerable for win purposes as he quite simply finds winning very difficult.