Musselburgh Preview: Deepsand weighted to sink his rivals

The well-handicapped Deepsand has been knocking on the door of late and can score an overdue success in the 2m contest at Mussleburgh today (4.10).

The Tim Easterby trained gelding has not won on the level since landing back-to-back contest in 2011.

However, the five-year-old does have some strong place form to his name including when runner-up to the now 110-rated Educate in a 16-runner class 4 contest at York off a mark of 79.

That makes Deepsand look potentially well-weighted off 74, and the son of Foostepsinthesand comes into the contest having posted a series of solid efforts in his last six starts.

The best of those runs came at Doncaster, where Deepsand he went down by just 1 1/2 lengths to Nanton in an extended 1m 6f handicap.

That was a stronger class 4 contest than today’s, and a repeat of that run would make Deepsand difficult to beat now running off 2lb lower.

Running Reef is another hores that has fallen in the weights and looks decent value to take advantage and land the spoils in the 7f handicap (4.40).

The Tracy Waggott trained gelding won twice over 7f last season, with the last of those successes coming over course and distance off a mark of 65.

Although Running Reef has failed to get his head in front since, the five-year-old has run a number of solid races to be placed this season and now runs off a rating of just 59.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful, and gives Running Reef major claims from a handicapping perspective now fitted with the cheepieces for the first time.
In the 5f handicap that closes proceedings (5.10), the Les Eyre trained Boxing Shadows has plenty going for him.
The gelding got back to winning ways when scoring at Catterick in April off a mark of 60, and although now running off 68 the four-year-old won off 4lb higher last season.

Boxing Shadows also ran really well on his penultimate start when third to Poyle Vinnie at Pontefract, and the winner and runner-up have both gone on to score since to give the form a very solid.
The son of Camacho has also bagged a great draw in stall 14, and looks sure to get the strong pace he needs to be seen at his best in what looks a winnable contest.