Diamond looks a wee gem for in-form Russell
Diamond State (4.20) can sparkle on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day at Musselburgh.
Lucinda Russel l ’ s charge can get ahead in the handicap hurdle.
Diamond State was denied a hat- trick by Zafar last time but there was only a length in it and the 2lb sway in weights with jockey bookings and ratings can turn the tide.
CALVADOS (1.32) can take classy Irish juvenile form into battle in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle.
Raiders have totally dominated the UK squad and John McConnell’s yak was second at Aintree in December in a decent event when the visitors filled all four places.
Calvados has a f irst time hood and has the form to get the job done.
R A T F A C E MC - DOUGALL (2.40) is still unbeaten here so he looks very interesting in the Pertemps Qualifier.
Fergal O’Brien’s charge needs to go up to have any chance of making the Final at Cheltenham and is an each-way price.
It’s the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival with another terri f ic afternoon on the cards.
Honeysuckle will be the centre of attention as she aims to extend her incredible unbeaten record and win another Irish Champion Hurdle.
The Queen of the Turf should have little trouble disposing of her rivals on the way to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Honeysuckle’s price is tight and it is the same for Galopin des Champs (1.20) after a breathtaking debut over Christmas.
Willie Mullins’ young star was foot perfect over the bigger obstacles here and can take another step forward today on his way to the Cotswolds.
Chacun Pour Soi (1.50) can put a dent in the Champion Chase market by recovering top form.
The gelding bombed out at Sandown in the Tingle Creek and he needs a big effort to have any chance of shaking up Shishkin and Energumene at Cheltenham next month.
Sir Gerhard (3.35) is another one to watch but it’s really a day to savour the action without getting involved apart from the handicaps.
As usual, they are brutal events to solve but it’s worth having a go and JP McManus is always worth watching.
DROP THE ANCHOR
(4.10) catches the eye in the Grade B handicap hurdle over two miles.
Pat Fahy’s charge won the race at 8/1 last year and is back again at huge odds given what he has achieved since.
Drop the Anchor was whacked 15lb for that win yet still ran a cracker in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham to finish just over three lengths behind subsequent Aintree Grade 1 winner Belfast Banter.
Fahy’s yoke then toiled at Punchestown but ran a nice race behind Jesse Evans on his comeback before finishing down the field in the Betfair Trophy at Ascot in December.
Drop the Anchor is now back down to 141 in the ratings and, although that’s still 10lb above last year’s winning mark, available odds of 33/1 each way with six places on offer compensate for that.
If you don’t get some money off him today, there’s every chance you’ll get it back in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next month. He’s worth an each-way interest.