Musselburgh racing tips: Canny will turn on Style

Canny Style was a promising second on her hurdling bow and can live up to her name by going one better at Musselburgh on Thursday,

Brian Hughes will be on board Canny Style in the 1.30 at Musselburgh

The four-year-old makes the trip across the border from Yorkshire to line up for the Saltire Festival Mares Maiden Hurdle (1.30) and it certainly looks a suitable opportunity for her to land the spoils.

She has five victories on the level to her credit with two of them coming on the East Lothian circuit – the latest in August when she led halfway up the home straight and stayed on strongly.

That was over one mile, five furlongs and she had scored over a slightly shorter trip at Catterick the previous week, so there should be no qualms about her stamina.

The mare was third her in September and then runner-up at Haydock before switching to the winter game and was sent off favourite on her jumping debut at Carlisle a fortnight ago.

She looked set to justify the confidence when leading at the penultimate obstacles, but tired on the long climb to the line and was caught in the last 100 yards.

This easier track will suit admirably and top Northern pilot Brian Hughes will be on board, so the pair get a confident vote.

Thankyou Very Much has won over both hurdles and fences on this track and can notch up another victory in the My Name’s Doddy Foundation Handicap Chase (3.00).

The seven-year-old won here almost exactly a year ago and returned from a summer break to finish sixth over hurdles at Catterick in October before finishing second on the all weather at Newcastle. The mare was far from disgraced when finishing in midfield on the flat again at Kempton recently and should strip fitter now. She can complete a double for Brian Hughes.

Running in Heels opened her account over hurdles at Market Rasen in May on her first appearance for Rebecca Menzies and has run well on all three starts since then. The mare made the running here three weeks ago, but was collared at the penultimate fence before finishing second, but she can go one better in the IME/DJK Lettings Handicap Chase (2.00).

She has three victories in the point-to-point field and seems to take regulation fences in her stride. The mare looks a decent bet with only a low weight to carry in decent underfoot conditions.

Iolani could be of interest in the Bet at RUK Maiden Hurdle (2.30) on his first run for Penrith-based Dianne Sayer.

The gelding has been running in Ireland where he won a bumper at Downpatrick for Willie Mullins and has also been placed over hurdles as well as scoring on the level at Gowran Park in September.

The five-year-old was bought for what could be a bargain £10,000 at the sales recently and comes from a good German family. He’ll surely prove good enough to win over jumps on the Northern circuit.

Selections: 1.30 Canny Style; 2.00 Running in Heels; 2.30 Iolani; 3.00 Thankyou Very Much.