Allan smiles in the rain at very soggy Musselburgh
Report by
John Budden
Persistent rain may have forced the Edinburgh Fringe performers to take refuge in the bars and restaurants at Musselburgh racecourse but the depressing weather could not remove the broad smile off the face of Dick Allan as he welcomed his Zabeel Tower into the winner's circle for the third time this summer.
Dick may be operating on a much reduced scale since the heydays of Pat's Jester and Sunbird. Indeed he actually relinquished his trainer's licence for a short while two seasons ago but based now in new quarters near Duns, he has proved that the old skills remain and his handling of Zabeel Tower has been a splendid reminder of his proven ability to gain the best out of modest horses.
Zabeel Tower has now won five times this season and back on a flat course he resumed his winning ways under a patient and well judged ride from the much improved Tony Hamilton.
To Dick Allan’s credit the gelding continues to thrive. This is the sign of a real horseman. Zabeel Tower looked in prime physical condition back in early May. Last Tuesday he appeared even better and provided the handicapper does not take exception to his burgeoning success and raise him unfairly in the weights there is no reason why he should not win more races before the end of the turf campaign.
Paul Midgley duly saddled the anticipated double at the Fringe Meeting but with Highland Warrior and Dispol Grand rather than the first named and Dimashq as posted in last week's column.
Every drop of rain which fell contributed to the success of Midgley's Dispol Grand and at the same time reduced the chances of Dimashq in the opener. The previous course winner never ran his race on the rain-softened going.
Mind you, the easier conditions underfoot were not expected to assist the chances of Kyber who defied the rain to score at Musselburgh for the fifth time in his career.
Given a polished ride by Gary Bartley, Kyber took advantage of the situation to bring his stamina into decisive play and forge clear inside the final furlong. The only remarkable feature of Kyber's win was his starting price. 15-2 against such a course specialist was daylight robbery.
David Barron has not been enjoying the best of seasons and his Musselburgh winner King of the Moors had been a remote sixth at Redcar only 48 hours earlier. Dropped in grade Paul Fessey's mount ran out a convincing winner. I doubt if he will win next time out but I do expect the third horse home, Kirkby's Treasure, to be back in the winner's circle, probably here at Musselburgh before the season grows much older.
The popular grey, now back with Alan Berry at Cockerham, was reunited with Tony Culhane, riding at the East Lothian course for the first time since his return from suspension, and showed his appreciation with his best run for two years.
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Weather for Musselburgh
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
