Musselburgh top racing tip (1415): Bold bid expected from Universal Folly
Musselburgh
A dozen starters line up for the biggest prize on Musselburgh’s card, and with four each-way places widely available, there’s plenty of top-class staying chasers carrying a decent price.
14:15 Musselburgh: bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase (3 miles 7½ furlong)
The early market leader is Peaches And Cream who should find this drop in class easier than when he was last seen finishing fifth in stronger company at Cheltenham in November, and this longer trip could well suit even more.
His low price will still bring in a tidy return for serious bettors, but casual punters might be drawn more towards the each-way value offered elsewhere, with last year’s winner Magna Sam expected to give a better performance in his defence than in his pipe-opening reappearance in November, when he looked in need of the run after a seven-month break.
A host of likely challengers includes Inis Oirr (primed to go well for Lucinda Russell under a low weight), Enrilo (one of just three Paul Nicholls-trained horses to make the long trip north) and Landen Calling, who has made a promising switch to larger obstacles.
However, the horse that has caught the eye of some of Tipstrr’s each-way pundits, and who still appears to be lurking under the bookies’ radar is the Nicky Richards-trained Universal Folly.
Suggested best bet: Universal Folly each-way in the 14:15 at Musselburgh
Last season, this nine-year-old gelding only once finished outside the first two in seven outings (three wins, three runners-up), and he wasted no time picking up where he left off when landing a five-runner affair in heavy ground on season debut at Hexham in October.
Runner-up spots under similar testing conditions in his two subsequent outings at Aintree and Carlisle before Christmas suggest Universal Folly is still full of running, and his seven-week break should have freshened him up nicely for the new territory of this stamina test.
If he can last the step up in trip, then he ticks all the other boxes of an accomplished chaser, and in the capable hands of Sean Quinlan it would be no surprise to see him at least making up one of the minor places in what should be an enthralling long-distance renewal.
- Tip advised by Putters Punter on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Saturday ITV racing tips: Best best for Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown on February 3
