Musselburgh Preview: Flash City too sharp for rivals

Flash City has been an unlucky loser in his last two runs and can gain compensation by landing the 5f sprint handicap at Musselburgh today (4.00).

The gelding has won just once in 34 starts, with that sole success coming way back in 2010 off a mark of 73.

However, the six-year-old has run some solid races in big field handicaps in the past couple of years when trained by Bryan Smart, finishing in the frame over course and distance in 2012 off 81 and going on to be placed of 85.

Flash City also ran well last season to finish 9th of 15 to Kingsgate Choice in the Catterick Dash off 84, and runner-up to Rothesay Chancer over course and distance off 80.

The son of Elusive City now runs off just 67, having shaped really well to make the frame in his last two starts since joining in-form trainer Ruth Carr.

In the first of those Flash City went down by just 3/4 of a length to stable companion Headspace in a 14-runner contest at Doncaster after getting denied a clear run and being forced to switch at a vital stage.

Flash City then lucked a desperately unlucky loser at Haydock four days ago, where after rearing at the stalls and losing stacks of ground he kept on strongly to finish a 3/4 length third of 11 to Rich Again.
This class 4 contest looks weaker than both those contests, and granted a level break Flash City is going to be extremely tough to beat.

Violent Velocity is back down to his last winning mark and with underfoot conditions to suit looks decent value in the 1m 1f handicap that opens proceedings (2.00).

The John Quinn trained gelding registered was last successful over a mile at this track 11 months ago when running on strongly to beat Border Bandit by 1 1 3/4 lengths off a mark of 60, and followed that up with a decent second at Beverley off 64.
The 11-year-old has shown that he retains enough ability to win a race of this nature by finishing placed in three of his four starts this season, and now gets the services of the promising Megan Carberry in the saddle whose claim takes another invaluable 7lb off the selections’ back.
That makes Volent Velocity well-treated, and with the fast ground ideal this looks a nice opportunity for the veteran to get back on the scoresheet.