Musselburgh tips: De Sousa is one to back as he chases title

Silvestre is well clear of his nearest rivals at the top of the riders’ table and should take the title, barring accidents.

All five of his mounts tomorrow merit the closest inspection and he can initiate a treble by steering Dalileo to victory in the LG Pharmacy Ltd Lucky Gallop Maiden Stakes (3.30) for Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston.

The latter saddles two of the four runners in this event and although stable companion Mail Order has previous racecourse experience I reckon Dalileo is the one to be on.

A 150,000 guineas yearling, he is a son of champion stallion Galileo and is the first foal of Snow Queen who was placed at top level. She also finished fifth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket when trained by Vincent O’Brien.

Dalileo is certainly bred to stay this mile and I expect him to make a winning start to his career.

Asaas makes the trek from Newmarket to run in the Deuchers IPA Handicap (4.40) and can add another winner to the De Sousa tally.

Roger Varian’s charge was partnered by Silvestre when runner-up at Lingfield in June and benefited from the strength of his partner when going one better to justify favouritism in a tight finish at Wolverhampton the following month.

The three-year-old was returning from a near two-month break after being gelded when fourth at Beverley recently. That outing will have helped bring him back to peak and with De Sousa back on board, he gets a confident vote here.

Solo Mission is another Southern raider who can make his mark in the Caledonian Cup (5.15).

He is one of three horses William Haggas send up from Newmarket and he can recoup losses after finishing second when favourite at Kempton Park recently.

The three-year-old lost no face in defeat there and had won two of his three previous races at Ripon and Carlisle in progressive style. He is still clearly on the upgrade after being gelded during the winter break and stepping up into middle distance trips this term.

See Vermont is something of a course specialist having scored three times over the minimum trip on the seaside circuit in the past couple of seasons and he can defy top weight in the Three Hop Handicap (5.45) to complete a good day for his hard-working rider.

The gelding scored here just more than 12 months ago and has been successful twice this term – in July and again at the last meeting here when he prevailed by a nose in a four-horse photo finish. The nine-year-old has gone up by only a single pound in the ratings and with De Sousa on board he can defy a wide draw.

Selections: 3.30 Dalileo; 4.40 Asaas; 5.15 Solo Mission; 5.45 See Vermont