Quinn relishes double helping
By John Quinn believes he has two live chances of winning Musselburgh’s £100,000 Edinburgh Gin’s Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap today with El Astronaute and Soie D’leau.
El Astonaute has been in the form of his life this season, placing in all four starts and winning a decent pot at York’s Dante meeting as well as going close back on the Knavesmire two weeks ago.
Soie D’leau has been a consistent handicapper for a number of seasons for Kristin Stubbs but moved to Quinn in the off-season and won on his debut for the yard at Thirsk, beating Blue De Vega.
“El Astonaute has got a decent draw [14], he’s drawn next to Copper Knight so I just hope they don’t cut each other’s throats,” said Quinn. “My other runner, Soie D’leau, is drawn in five and that’s not a bad draw for him either. It’s great to have two really good chances in a £100,000 race.”
Tim Easterby has three live hopes with Orion’s Bow, Excessable and the aforementioned Copper Knight.
Orion’s Bow is without a win since July 2016 but has looked well handicapped for some time, although he made no show when sent off favourite for a decent race at York last time out.
“Orion’s Bow ran well at Pontefract but then disappointed last time out at York. He was rightupwiththepaceandthen stoppedquickly,wedon’treally know why,” said Easterby.
“Excessable was another who was really disappointing at York and like Orion’s, I don’t know why. Hopefully he comes back to form,
“Copper Knight is in great form. He’s got a high draw, he’s very fast but he hangs a bit left. He should have a good chance.
“I couldn’t split the three to be honest.”
Paul Midgley, fresh from landing the Dash with Tanasoq last week at Epsom, also has several chances with Line Of Reason, Move In Time and Orvar lining up. Kevin Ryan’s Major Jumbo, the veteran Caspian Prince and Scott Dixon’s Dark Shot are other well fancied runners.