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Sam King tipped 2/1 and 9/1 winners when last in action on Saturday and he’s back with three selections to kick off the week.
A dry forecast in Edinburgh has seen conditions remain good at Musselburgh this afternoon and Kitai should have no issues with the ground in the feature British EBF Ruby Anniversary Scottish Premier Fillies' Handicap (4.10).
Charlie Johnston's charge looked like a filly that was more than capable of plying her trade off a mark of 90 when winning a Class 2 six-furlong handicap at Pontefract in July and she's certainly had excuses since.
She lost all chance when rearing at the start at Goodwood next-time-out and was entitled to find Listed company a touch too strong at Pontefract in August. That said, she travelled beautifully behind rivals that day and only faltered in the closing stages. Once again, a poor beginning cost her when sixth of seven back at Pontefract last month, but she ran on nicely once short of room and shaped as though the step back up to seven furlongs might be what she needs.
This afternoon's seven-furlong prize represents another drop in class for the daughter of No Nay Never and although you have to take a chance on her being cleanly away, a smooth beginning should see her going very close off a mark of 90 in a race of this nature.
Selection: Kitai – General 5/1
We head to the coast for our next selection and Astral Spirit looks like the one to side with in the Regular Offers On bresbet.com Handicap (4.35) at Yarmouth.
Course specialist The Spotlight Kid requires plenty of respect, but it was disappointing he could only manage fourth place over track and trip last time and preference is for Pam Sly's more unexposed filly.
The daughter of Charm Spirit ran well when runner-up in a mile maiden at this venue back in July, travelling best before being passed late on by a horse now rated 75.
A disappointing effort on Newmarket's July Course followed but she quickly got back on track when third over a mile on good to soft ground at Leicester three weeks ago. Once again, Pam Sly's filly travelled kindly but she probably just did a bit too much too soon and was found wanting in the closing stages by two horses who came from further back in the field.
Dropping back to seven furlongs on soft ground should be right up her street and with a mark of 69 surely within her compass, a bold bid ought to be on the cards this afternoon.
Selection: Astral Spirit – General 3/1
Kempton hosts nine races on the Polytrack this evening and Animate looks worth chancing in a wide-open Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Handicap (7.00).
The Crisford-trained runner finished out of the placings for the first time on the all-weather when ninth at Chelmsford last time but shaped much better than the eventual finishing position suggests, having been denied a clear run in the closing stages.
That outing also came in Class 2 company and he's two from five when running at Class 4 level. The gelded son of Shamardal went down narrowly off this mark when runner-up at Newcastle in July and it's interesting connections are opting to put the cheekpieces back on this evening.
Daniel Muscutt should get a good sit from stall six on a horse that can be ridden prominently, and a general price of 6/1 looks more than fair for a contender that will appreciate returning to this venue (placed on both outings over course and distance).
Selection: Animate – General 6/1
