Horse Racing: Hanagan hankers for double

PAUL HANAGAN is setting a brisk pace at the top of the jockey's table and can extend his lead in the race for the title by landing a double at Musselburgh tomorrow night.

He comes back from a ban yesterday to ride at Beverley this afternoon (Tues) before flying North for a full book of six rides on the East Lothian track and Bold Bidder can prove best of them in the Toteexacta Nursery (7.20pm). The filly was slowly into stride and very inexperienced when well beaten on her debut at Haydock in May, but showed more promise when sixth back at that track a fortnight later.

Both those races were over six furlongs, but she relished the drop back to the minimum trip when winning at Carlisle three weeks ago and top weight may not stop her from following up tonight over the minimum trip again.

Zabeel Tower went into my notebook when he finished fourth at the last meeting here and the gelding can complete the Hanagan double in the concluding event - the Toteswinger Handicap (9.20pm). The seven-year-old has won seven of his 55 races with three of those victories coming over this course and distance. The last of them was just short of two years ago and he has run 20 times since then, but he was a good second over this course and distance on one occasion last summer.

He was having his first outing for seven months when unplaced over 6F at Hamilton last month, but turned in a fine effort four days later on this track when he swept through on the inside to lead inside the final furlong, but was headed in the last 50 yards and tired so quickly, he could finish only fourth. That was over a mile and the drop back to seven furlongs should be just up his street, while the handivcapper has also dropped him a handy 3lb in the ratings.

Boundaries carries the same colours as Bold Bidder although in a different stable and can open his winning account in the Toteplacepot Maiden Auction Stakes (6.50pm).This colt is trained by Tim Easterby who has his string in great shape and it is interesting that although the youngster is now qualified for handicaps after three outings, Easterby keeps him to maiden company.

Mark Johnston has a good record on the seaside track, although he has managed only one winner from ten runners here this term. But his team have hit top gear and Ginger Jack can win the Cannacord Genuity Handicap (7.50).

The colt was successful twice on the all-weather during the winter and although his initial efforts on turf this term were disappointing, he was quite badly hampered when finishing eighth on his penultimate start at Haydock. And he bounced back when making much of the running to score there earlier this month. This tight track should suit his running.

Joe Rowntree's selection: 6.50 Boundaries; 7.20 Bold Bidder; 7.50 Ginger Jack; 9.20 Zabeel Tower.