We kick off proceedings with a five-furlong nursery from Musselburgh (14:40) and Spend A Penny looks likely to run well. His price rose to £180,000 at the breeze-ups this year and he's shown signs of significant promise in some decent maidens at this trip which make him the standard-setter on form. With further improvement on the cards now he makes the switch to handicap company, it's quite possible he could prove a good deal better than today's opponents and his opening mark of 68.
We remain north of the border to take in the next contest under consideration, a handicap over 12 furlongs (15:40) and it may pay to keep Merchant of Dubai on side. He's been in fine form before stepping up to two miles last time which evidently didn't suit him and on the pick of his form looks on a workable mark back at his optimum trip. He shoulders top weight but the drop back to class 5 company means he should have an edge here and given he's also won at this track before, conditions look to be at an optimum for a return to the winners' enclosure.
The final contest under consideration is a six-furlong handicap at Brighton (16:20) and the one to keep on side is Pour La Victoire. He's finished in the first three on his last five starts, which included an impressive victory and a C&D second here, and confirmed his wellbeing when finishing third at Chepstow ten days ago off the back of a break. First-time blinkers are reached for here and if they have the desired effect another win to continue his fine run of form looks well within his grasp.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Spend A Penny @ 2.8815/8 in the 14:40 from Musselburgh
Back Merchant of Dubai @ 3.929/10 in the 15:40 from Musselburgh
Back Pour La Victoire @ 6.411/2 in the 16:20 from Brighton
