4:50 Musselburgh Tips

Velvet Vulcan ran just five days ago at Ayr when beaten by a head in second place. For his second successive race at Ayr he went up two pounds for his initial second place and is likely to be raised again for his latest second, so he runs here ahead of the handicapper.

National Question was ridden by today's claimer for the first time last time and took on 2m 4f for the first time too. Despite a mistake at the last, it paid off. The horse in second was rated 90, and the selection is still rated in the 80s even with the penalty, so can go in again.

Gonnino caught the eye on his penultimate outing here when a never-nearer second. The seven-year-old was subsequently made too much use of when sixth over the same C&D, although that race has worked out extremely well. Up in trip, I believe the seven-year-old will be able to travel kinder. Dylan Johnston is booked just for the one ride, arguably the top conditional, and hopefully a bold bid is on the cards.

Going for a good old Dutch. BEAT THE RETREAT is back to defend his crown in this race and there are plenty of positives. Although consistency isn't his forte, the 3m was too far here last time, and his penultimate outing when scoring at Ayr showed he's in good heart. Hislop knows the horse well and is back on board, so he is effectively 8 lb lower than at his latest triumph. The stable are also in better shape now too. With 3 places, decent each-way bet.