Musselburgh - Friday 7th August 2026
Despite having to shoulder a penalty for her recent Ayr triumph this could be another good opportunity for SAMRA STAR, especially because she'll be suited by the extra furlong on this occasion. Falcon Nine has filled the runner-up spot the last twice and is expected to go close again, as might Gemini Man, who bumped into an impressive winner here most recently.
The Gimcrack entry and unbeaten BARNABY RUDGE is taken to come out on top. James Fanshawe's colt shrugged off a penalty to add to his Nottingham debut success at Newcastle and further improvement looks highly likely. Faith In Florence gets plenty of weight from the selection and might be best placed to challenge, but don't rule out Minster Man, who shaped with real promise at Yarmouth.
Bluestone Lady got the better of BIGALO (second) over C&D last time out, but the former must now shoulder a 6lb penalty having only won by half a length and that form is expected to be reversed as a result. Bella Lucia has shown plenty of promise in her three qualifying runs and she must enter calculations now upped in trip for her nursery debut.
Having impressed on both outings for Harriet Bethell, there is every chance that EAGLE BAY can make a winning handicap bow. A rating of 85 looks workable given the calibre of opponent that the three-year-old made light work of at Chester last time and he's likely to prove a warm order. Passing Thought will find this easier than her effort in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and she's feared more than recent York winner Jonny Concrete.
Having finished runner-up on five of her last six outings, WOOHOO could be poised to have her day in the sun. The five-year-old is wisely turned out before a 5lb higher mark takes effect and a similar performance to her latest neck second at Glorious Goodwood may suffice. Montezuma found only one rival too strong over C&D seven days ago and he may serve the most resistance to the selection, with Tiva the pick of the remainder.
Roc De Fer is sure to prove popular as he looks for a hat-trick after wins at Southwell and Wolverhampton, but he has a little to find at these weights. Last time he stayed on to beat MUCH by a length and a half, but the latter reopposes on 6lb better terms, leaving the James Fanshawe gelding with every chance of reversing that form. Willow Wood is also of interest, although she will need a step forward.
Filey Beach won at this level twice at Catterick in May and he could run well again if first-time cheekpieces bring about any improvement. Monhammer won by a head over C&D at the end of July, but he carries a 4lb penalty for that and has his work cut out to hold off runner-up MISEMERALD on these terms. Linda Perratt's mare struggled to find a path late on before being hampered that day, and a clear run here could see her exact her revenge.
FALCON NINE arrives after recording two runner-up spots and could run well again dropping down to 8f. Toy Soldier's form has slipped a little recently but he's more than capable on his day, while Gemini Man bounced back from a below par effort and a race in which he was pulled-up to finish second of nine runners last time on similar ground to today but a trip that was a few furlongs longer.
FAITH IN FLORENCE delivered a decent performance when second of 11 runners over a furlong longer than this at Newbury last time and is entitled to run equally well, if not better, here. Minster Man put in a promising debut when runner-up over this trip at Yarmouth last month and Barnaby Rudge goes for the hat-trick, though he hasn't run since the end of June.
AMANTHA hasn't finished out of the first three in her last three runs and bids to an extend an excellent run of form. Bigalo, however, has finished runner-up on his last two runs and could finish second again today, or even cross the line in front. Bella Lucia, though in and out of form in her short career, shouldn't be dismissed on the balance of her runs to date.
JONNY CONCRETE looks the one to beat, arriving off the back of victory at York over this trip, and after spending a while in good form generally. Ashen has a slightly disappointing run to overcome but was generally consistent before that and could bounce back. Augustus Gloop put in a decent enough performance last time over today's trip and that was carrying more than he will today.
JER BATT has been placed on both his last and penultimate runs and, if he can cope with ground that mightn't be to his liking, can put in a good showing here. Big Fun has something to find in his bid to return to the good form he showed last year, but arrives here fresh after a break of two and a bit months. Woohoo has finished runner-up four times going into this and could easily stay in the placings again.
MUCH looks much the best and should enjoy the trip and underfoot conditions, coming here after a runner-up spot last time (on his first handicap start). Alnayef was a winner on his penultimate start and stayed in good form when finishing third over a long trip last time. While Willow Wood was also a winner on his penultimate start, she could only back it up with a fifth-placed finish on her subsequent appearance.
KEEP ME STABLE didn't race until July this season and still has a bit to find if she's to match some good form recorded last year. Monhammer arrives after winning over course and distance last time. That, though, was a race in which he only beat Misemerald by a head.
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