DAVID BARRON generally excels in the speed division so it is no surprise to discover he trains the ante-post favourite, Raccoon, for this afternoon's top race at Edinburgh, the £50,000 Scottish Sprint Cup, writes Colin Woods (Janus).

Sponsors Victor Chandler opened up a book on the five-furlong dash a couple of days ago, installing Raccoon (2.20) at the head of market, where he trades at the relatively short price of 100-30.

Some might say those are skinny odds considering the relative inexperience of the Peter Savill-owned four-year-old, however the layers are clearly running scared following the sensational performance put up by Raccoon at Haydock last Saturday.

Although connections had been quietly confident beforehand, few could have anticipated the breathtaking acceleration he showed to destroy a good-looking bunch of battle-hardened campaigners with embarrassing ease.

Savill's racing manager, Nick Babbington, is clearly keen to strike while the iron is hot. "He's come out of the Haydock race really well and although he's been put up 10lb, which is quite stiff, he's an improving horse," said Nick

Linda Perratt bids to keep the cash in her native Scotland by fielding both Seafield Towers and Ptarmigan Ridge.

Of the pair, Ptarmigan Ridge is marginally preferred to bustle-up Raccoon. The former possesses blinding early pace, and if the forecast rain arrives on cue to soften the ground, his prospects will be enhanced even further.

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