FRIDAY'S SELECTION'S

ASCOT 5.30 SLUGGER O'TOOLE @ 28/1 SJ,VC,WillHill

Slugger O'toole was giving Swift Gift 6lb when finishing in front of him at N/mkt last October and receives 6lb today after the handicapper has relented for some unlucky in running efforts lately.
Squeezed out and lost his momentum last time out and his penultimate run on soft going over a mile was all wrong.
Previously had Harrison George 2.25 length behind on equal terms when winning at Doncaster over this trip and 3lb lower today whereas he is 3lb higher.
Low numbers had the edge here earlier in the week but the high numbers had the call here in May and there is plenty pace amongst those around him.
Of the lower drawn Giganticus comes out 6lb better than for some close runs here in the past but all the pace looks far side this year.

Slugger O'toole 1/2 pt E/W

minus 1 point

FULL RESULT>>


MUSSELBURGH 1.50 ... VIVA VOLTA @ 9/1 Generally

Azure Mist was beaten 4.5 length behind Bid For Gold latest and is a hard horse to get a win from with only a maiden success from 21 starts, and looks too short @ 11/4 early doors.
Viva Volta, a former inmate of the Easterby yard has ran consistently well off marks in the high 60's low 70's.
Won 1st time up as a 3Yr Old from a bad draw at Beverley and the majority of his wins/places have been when taking a prominent position.
Has been off since September but this doesn't look a strong race for his reintroduction to the flat as most his opposition are Claimer/maiden winners at best.
Sands Of Barra the exception, but the horse looks out of form. On the plus side he has the assistance of Tom Eaves who rides this track well, and shouldn't be a 20/1 chance having finished 2nd in this in 2007 off only 1lb higher.
Defi who is drawn alongside the selection is normally a confirmed front runner and should take them along at a good clip with races here normally ran at a fast pace.
Summer Dancer looks to be best at the weights between himself and Kargan/Infinity Bond on previous encounters but is another to be out the winners enclosure since his 3Yr Old days.
Viva's only previous run here was beaten by (H Harrison) the 70 rated stablemate of Sands Of Barra with rivals rated 85 in arrears, including Stellite (recent conqueror of Infinity bond/Summer Dancer off 62) who was rated 70 at the time.
With the drop to a Class6 for the 1st time, and providing dual purpose trainer has him fit enough off lower than previous success' Viva Volta has his best chance for a while to get back in the winners circle and do himself justice.

Viva Volta 1 point

minus 1 point

2nd FULL RESULT>>