Let’s side with Hughes and Co at Musselburgh
Monsieur Co (4.30) can maintain Brian Hughes’ golden run at Musselburgh.
Keith Dalgelish’s charge has a sporting chance of sticking another one on the board for the champion jockey-elect.
Monsieur Co won at the venue 14 months ago but has become costly to follow with 10 defeats since that East Lothian triumph.
The flip side is that the nine-year-old has tumbled down the ratings by almost two stones from a mark of 123 to just 101 today.
Monsieur Co can now slip into this 0-100 contest due to the rules and the booking of Hughes is interesting.
Agent Richard Hale is getting his man onto everything with a chance from outside yards when his boss Donald McCain doesn’t have a runner as the pilot tries to reach 200 winners for the season.
It’s a trend that will be worth following in the weeks ahead as Hughes hunts the double-ton and Monsieur Co can help the stats.
Clear the Runway is a danger in being sent by a trainer in hot form. Laura Morgan’s yaks are going great guns at the moment and the shrewd handler has despatched a trio to East Lothian to try to get more winners on the board.
Clear The Runway has been running pretty well this term without ever looking like getting his head in front.
The trip and track here should suit but Hughes can boss the race.
First Account also represents Dalgleish and Hughes earlier but BUSTER VALENTINE (3.20) looks made for a step up to three miles.
The nine-year-old has been done for a bit of speed over shorter trips at Wetherby in two starts this term and the easier pace of this event on a flat track looks suitable.
Sean Quinlan is a top-class jockey and he can get the rhythm right to give Buster Valentine a chance of flattening the Hughes hotpot.
Newbury stages a six-race card and there are some fair betting heats.
DOUKAROV (3.40) is bound to give a solid showing as he has been so consistent through a long campaign.
Sean Curran’s horse has already been out six times this season and hasn’t finished out of the places in any of the past four.
Doukarov has scored here in the past and also has soft ground form having won at Leicester 11 months ago when it was boggy underfoot.
The seven-year-old seems to be handling racing well and only went up one pound for a good second last time.
Navan stages the best racing of the day with the Boyne Hurdle and Ten Up Novices Chase the main highlights.
The Boyne Hurdle is tricky as some will be gunning for glory and some will be getting prepped for the big spring festivals. LONGHOUSE POET
(2.20) will have Aintree in mind after hosing up in the Thyestes at Gowran but he is on a nice mark over timber so he can score for Martin Brassil.
Only six have turned up for the Ten Up and Gigginstown has over half the field. FAROUK D’ALENE (4.05) looks most suited to today’s test and conditions.
MUSIC OF TARA (1.10) can take a jump forward from Boxing
Day at Leopardstown for Henry De Bromhead.