Musselburgh preview: Circuitous to gain deserved success

Circuitous has been knocking on the door of late and can gain a deserved success in the 7f handicap on today’s card at Musselburgh (17.00).

The Keith Dalgleish trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing the 2013 running of the class 2 Ayr Bronze Cup over 6f off a mark of 78.

Circuitous is now able to race off just 65, 13lb lower, and that gives the son of Fasliyev major claims from a handicapping perspective.

The seven-year-old also comes in the race on the back of a string of solid efforts to make the frame in his last four starts.

They include an excellent neck second at Hamilton when collared in the dying strides and a good two length third at Kempton last time out when not ridden positively enough by jockey Tom Queally.

Circuitous is now reunited with Joe Fanning, who gets a really good tune out of him, and this weak class 6 contest looks a golden opportunity for him to belatedly get back on the scoresheet.

In the 5f handicap (16.30), Clouds Rest is dangerously well-treated on the pick of her form and can go well at a big price.

The Richard Fahey trained filly was last successful at Beverley 15 months ago when bolting up by four lengths off a mark of 79.

Clouds Rest went on to finish a fair third at Carlisle off her revised mark of 85, but her form then tailed off after she was raised another 3lb to 88.

The three-year-old has also failed to trouble the judge in eight starts this season, but some of those runs have not been devoid of promise.

They include a three length fourth at Thirsk four starts back off a rating of 79, where the daughter of Showcasing showed plenty of early dash until being headed a furlong from home and unable to find any extra.