Pearl's A Zinger

It's poor stuff on Friday, but that doesn't preclude a decent betting opportunity, and it may be worth chancing a couple of dark ones at Musselburgh. The Kilmany Cup hasn't lived up to it's grand title, with only Kris Cross arriving in form, and a closer look at his Ascot success shows that he needed the runner-up to throw the race away there, and again made a number of errors. He remains capable of much better if he could avoid such mistakes, but that's a big "if", and he's opposable at very short odds. Of his rivals, the most appealing is the veteran Isla Pearl Fisher, who is a dual course winner, and shaped much better than the bare result on his return at Carlisle. Not unduly punished after a rather negative ride there, he's sure to strip fitter, and he isn't badly treated on his best form. With both Rossini's Dancer and Lively Baron throwing in stinkers last time, the Nick Alexander-trained gelding looks overpriced at 6/1.

In the bumper, those who have run look very vulnerable, with Cousin Guillaume having failed to improve on a promising debut (when fully clued-up), and Coozan George only fifth at Huntingdon. The fact that the latter appears the one to beat on form tells a story, and this looks ripe for an above-average newcomer to plunder. Elfego Baca fits the bill, having finished second between the flags as recently as October. Lucinda Russell does very well with her recruits from the pointing field, and this one stands out on paper in what looks a decidedly modest event of its type.

Recommendations:

Both at Musselburgh

Back Isla Pearl Fisher @ [7.0] in the 15:10 (NAP)

Back Elfego Baca @ [4.2] in the 15:40 (NB)