Set sights on Orion’s Bow

Easterby’s charge can shrug off York struggles to win

Those prepared to forgive ORION’S

BOW his York trespasses can be rewarded in the Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap at Musselburgh today.

Tim Easterby’s seven-year-old struggled in a strong six-furlong handicap on the Knavesmire, for which he was sent off the 7-1 favourite.

But that might have something to do with a perceived dislike of York, where he has never shown his true form.

And though Orion’s Bow has admittedly not won since July 2016, he can unquestionably do some damage off a mark of 89.

The son of Pivotal might appreciate a bit of rain in the build-up to the Scottish Sprint Cup, but he has won on fast ground before so that might not be too big an issue. BLUE DE VEGA can gain swift satisfaction for a luckless spin at Epsom when he runs in the Betway Achilles Stakes at Haydock.

The five-year-old entire had become a little frustrating since his transfer to Robert Cowell’s yard in October 2017.

But he is clearly getting the hang of this sprinting lark and ought to be sharp enough to take this Listed prize over five furlongs.

And had circumstances been more favourable last Saturday, Blue De Vega would be a shorter price for this race.

That is because he endured frightful scrimmaging in the Epsom Dash, in which he was blocked for room inside the final furlong of the yearly lottery speed test.

Blue De Vega and Oisin Murphy simply had nowhere to go when it mattered, and when daylight did appear the game was up.

The son of Lope De Vega ended up finishing fourth behind Tanasoq, but that, of course, did not tell the full story.

Granted more fortune on Merseyside, he can ably prove up to this level. SELECTIONS: HAYDOCK: 2.15 Podemos, 2.50 God Given, 3.25 BLUE DE VEGA (NAP), 4.00 Emmaus, 4.35 Pipers Note, 5.10 Choice Encounter, 5.45 Knowing Glance. MUSSELBURGH: 1.55 Reverend Jacobs, 2.30 Orion’s Bow, 3.10 Capitan James, 3.45 Ventura Gold, 4.20 On Fire, 4.55 Colour Contrast, 5.30 Relight My Fire.

DOUBLE: Blue De Vega and Orion’s Bow