Confessional Not To Sin At Musselburgh

For punters who like a big sprint handicap to get stuck into, then Saturday provides a great opportunity via the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh (3.35).

Won in the past by sprinters from both the top and bottom of the weights and from different age groups, there hasn’t been a ‘typical’ profile to look out for, making it a level playing field for everyone. That includes the current 11/2 favourite, Body And Soul.

Tim Easterby’s 4yo filly comes here in good form having run a screamer when second in a red-hot 5f handicap at York last time.

She was beaten just 1/4l that day and has been raised a fair 3lb for that effort. She had plenty of Saturday’s potential rivals in behind that day, and there is no reason why she cannot confirm that form.

Easterby also has the 7yo, Confessional, who may have come down the handicap at the right time. A winner from a mark of 95 and 94 in the last two years, he has slipped to 94 and could be ready to strike (beaten 4l in this last year off 100).

Some old favourites could also make this tasty line-up, including the likes of Hawkeyethenoo (14/1) and Borderlescott (12/1).

While the pair are respected and should go well, they would have to be the oldest winners of this race. Indeed, that trio could be vulnerable to younger legs, such as Caspian Prince (7/1). Tony Carroll’s improving 5yo made it a second victory this season in last weekend’s valuable ‘Dash’ handicap at Epsom (5f, good), and having finished placed twice in between, is clearly on top of his game, though he does get a 6lb penalty for that win.

The 7yo, Addictive Dream (8/1), cannot be ruled out having been only 1/2l third behind Caspian Prince and may reverse form on 6lb better terms.

Demora (12/1) is also amongst the market leaders having finished last season with a career best in a valuable 5f handicap at Haydock, but will need to be trained to the second to win this on her reappearance. She may need the run.

Elsewhere, there have been two winners of his race from the top of the weights, which will give Move In Time’s (10/1) followers hope, though he is another who looks a shade high in the handicap from a mark of 104 (last won off 95). Even higher in the weights is Dinkum Diamond (16/1), who won a Listed race on his return in March, but seems to prefer smaller-sized fields.

David Barron is another shrewd operator in these northern events, and it’s interesting he relies on Magical Macey (16/1), having had other entries earlier this week. He hasn’t shown much in two outings this term, but nor did he this time 12 months ago when striking from a mark of 87 and is down to 98 here.

A blanket may well cover the entire field at the finish on Saturday in what will be a thrilling contest, and two who’ll be sticking their necks out in search of the winning line are the well-handicapped pair, Confessional and Magical Macey. Both are on good marks and look to have been aimed at this prize for some time.