Wish out to continue fine run of form since joining Dalgleish

4.00 Musselburgh
Archerfield Cup Handicap | 1m6f, 3yo+ | RUK

Sebastian's Wish faces his toughest assignment in this £20,000 handicap but arrives in the form of his life following four victories from five starts since joining Keith Dalgleish.

The four-year-old son of Aqlaam - who will be partnered by Graham Lee for the first time with recent rider Joe Fanning on board Yorkidding - has risen from a mark of 53 to 83 in the handicap since switching from Richard Whitaker’s stable, winning three times at Musselburgh since early May.

A wide draw blighted his chances when third in a competitive handicap at the track in June on his only defeat for Dalgleish, although he returned to winning ways last month at the East Lothian course when readily justifying odds-on favouritism.

Dalgleish also saddles Kensington Star, a consistent four-year-old and winner at Carlisle in June, although both of the Carluke-based trainer's runners will have to turn form around with Great Fighter.

Jim Goldie's representative has scored on both Flat starts at the track this campaign, including when beating the two Dalgleish runners over 2m two outings ago.

The seven-year-old finished fifth in a competitive 2m½f handicap at York last month and the drop in trip and return to this venue may bring about a return to the winner's enclosure.

Goldie said: "He's certainly well named - he's a tough horse. It's a good prize and we know the form pretty well with a few course specialists in there.

"It may turn into a tactical affair but he really likes it around there and should run a big race. I'm quite hopeful."

Chester Cup second Yorkidding brings the best form to the race and was beaten just over five lengths in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last month.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to trainer and father Mark, said: "The plan was to run her at the Shergar Cup meeting but she's very ground dependent and the quick ground is up north for a change at the moment.

"This trip on ground on the fast side of good is her optimum and it doesn't look the deepest of races for the good prize-money.

"She's got some very strong bits of form. Although she's been disappointing a few times recently, she's been running in tough company so this step down in grade will suit."

The field is completed by the Sally Haynes-trained Codeshare, a creditable third in a 2m½f handicap at York last month and David O'Meara's Tawdeea, who will run only if there is sufficient overnight rain.