Category Archives: Trigger’s Tips

Unfortunately, unseasonably fast ground has led to a dearth of runners up and down the country on Monday, but Musselburgh has fared best, numerically. In the opening Border Safeguard and Security Experts Handicap Hurdle (12.45) at the East Lothian course, it’s interesting that Vale of Glamorgan trainer Tim Vaughan sends both Eric The Third and Fields Of Glory on the 400-mile trek north to contest a race worth just over £3,500 to the winner.

The hat-trick-seeking Eric The Third appears the more obvious winner, especially with Charlie Price – former Arabian Racehorse Champion Novice Jockey – taking off 10lb on his return to the smaller obstacles. Indeed, the Mountain High gelding hasn’t run over hurdles since winning a similar race at Uttoxeter, off a 22lb lower mark, in July. He has, of course, won three of his five starts over fences in the interim and, while he must translate his apparent improvement back to this sphere if he’s to win off his revised hurdles mark of 102, he’s still favourably treated when compared with his chase mark of 115. He steps up to 3 miles for the first time, but goes well on top of the ground and must have a decent chance of winning his sixth race of 2018.

Vaughan, who has a steady, if unspectacular, 10-60 (17%) strike rate at Musselburgh over the years, also saddles Fields Of Glory, ridden by Alan Johns. His case is less compelling, having finished tailed off on his reappearance at Newton Abbott, by he’s by no means impossibly handicapped on his best hurdling form and, trying a new trip in a first-time visor, might just be worth a small, each-way saver.

Selection: Musselburgh 12.45 Eric The Third to win 6/4

Alright Dave,

Andrea Atzeni missed three rides, including Balmoral Handicap winner Sharja Bridge, at British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday after being informed, at the last minute, by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that he would have to serve both days of a two-day ban imposed by the French racing authority, France Galop, after all. However, the Italian jockey could be in for an altogether more satisfactory, and rewarding, experience at Newmarket on Wednesday, starting with Prefontaine in the British Stallion Studs EBF Nursery (3.45).

Being by Mastercraftsman out of a Hurricane Run mare, Roger Varian’s colt has plenty of stamina in both halves of his pedigree and, unsurprising, has improved with each start as he’s gradually stepped up in distance. He opened his account on his first attempt at a mile and a quarter in a similar race at Nottingham two weeks ago and, although raised 7lb for that success, may be able to continue his progress.

The Rowley Mile Course at Newmarket, on which the ability to see out the trip thoroughly is essential, should play to his strengths and, while the Nottingham form has yet to be fully tested, his previous effort, when runner-up to the 90-rated Cap Francais over a mile at Haydock, looks strong in the context of this race. Fellow distance winners Just Hubert and Fearless Warrior are likely to make sure he doesn’t have things all his own way, but both make their handicap debuts off seemingly high enough marks, so Prefontaine looks a decent bet to follow up his Nottingham victory.

Selection: Newmarket 3.45 Prefontaine to win 10/3

Cheers,

Trig