Deauville can Post victory

RICHARD HANNON breaks new ground with three runners at Musselburgh tomorrow when Deauville Post can make the long trek from Wiltshire pay off by winning the main event.

The French-bred four-year-old is set to receive weight from all but one of his rivals in the 20,000 Musselburgh Gold Cup (3.40pm) and a recent victory on the all-weather surface at Lingfield Park suggests he will have a fitness advantage too.

He made the frame in three of his four races as a juvenile and was placed on his first two outings last spring at Lingfield and Newmarket before opening his winning account when stepped to a mile-and-a-half and easily justifying favouritism at Haydock almost exactly a year ago. The colt was then denied a clear run when unplaced at Sandown and was coming back from a three-month break when highly tried and last in a very competitive affair at York's big August festival.

Deauville Post tackles an extra two furlongs tomorrow, but the tight circuit should suit his style of racing and he gets my vote.

Hannon and jockey Pat Dobbs can make it a double with Elnawin in the Scottish Racing Conditions Stakes (4.15pm) over five furlongs. The gelding has not raced since last July, but has a history of going well when fresh and is well-proven at the top level. It's worth noting that Dobbs was on board for his two major victories and the five-year-old has enough early speed to be able to utilise a decent draw near the stands rail.

His main rival looks to be Hamish McGonagall who has netted three of his seven career victories over this course and distance and who ran really well when third on his reappearance at Thirsk recently. Hannon and Dobbs also bid for the EBF Maiden Stakes (2.30pm) with Mr Mojeika and the youngster will have his supporters as the stable have already struck form with their juveniles.

He cost 55,000 guineas, but will be making his racecourse debut and my preference is for Alejandro, who ran up against an above average filly when second on his debut at Ripon recently.

Fahey and champion jockey Paul Hanaghan can also take the Racing UK Racecourses Handicap (3.05pm) with Glen's Diamond.J

Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections: 2.30 Alejandro; 3.05 Glen's Diamond; 3.40 Deauville Post; 4.15 Elnawin.