N.H. racing at Musselburgh and Fontwell

With Leopardstown off, the action today is restricted to Musselburgh and Fontwell, with the former track offering by far the best sport. Some of the the races are named after events at the Cheltenham Festival, but it must be doubted that they can in any way be regarded as significant trials. The Scottish Triumph Hurdle for 4yo´s at 15.30 CET could be won by Titan de Sardi (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler), who as a maiden receives quite a lot of weight from the horses with winning form, but he is unlikely to be in the top dozen of Henderson´s juvenile hurdlers. Henderson sends quite a strong team from his Lambourn base on the long journey to Scotland. The trainer won 4 races yesterday, but several other fancied runners from the yard have flopped recently, so that it cannot be claimed that the yard is in fantastic form. However we expect him to come home with some winners today, and Skint (David Bass) in the novice hurdle at 14.30, Pipe Banner (Bass), owned by the Queen , in the handicap hurdle at 15.00, and Dark Shadow (Tinkler) in the bumper at 17.40 also have winning chances. Best betting race here is the so-called Scottish County Hurdle, a handicap over 2 miles at 16.35 with 15 runners and very open. David Pipe undertakes an even longer journey than Henderson, and his strong front-runner Hunterview (Tom Scudamore) is clearly on the short list after a good performance against Salden Licht at Exeter. Kutu Country (Tom Tate/ James Reveley) also ran well against a King hotpot last time and is also considered. German-bred Los Nadis (Ryan Mania) is one of two entries by local trainer Jim Goldie and has not been seen since winning here on the flat in June, but would have a decent chance if in form. Leslingtaylor (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello) is another to be considered in the day´s trickiest race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Skint - Moon Indigo - Gentleman Jeff
2. Race: Viva Colonia - Pipe Banner - Sunarri
3. Race: Titan De Sarti - Music Of The Moor - Eltheeb
4. Race: Nafaath - Gilbarry - Divers
5. Race: Hunterview - Kudu Country - European Dream
6. Race: Earl Grez - Elite Land - Follow The Sun
7. Race: Dark Shadow - The Tracey Shuffle - Think Green




It is difficult to get enthused about today´s Fontwell card. Two German-breds which could be placed at big prices are Promised Wings (Charlie Gordon/ Leighton Aspell) in the 4yo hurdle at 14.20 and Amore Mio in the handicap hurdle at 16.25. The former has an excellent Ullmann pedigree and had good 2yo form in Germany; he was beaten out of sight on his only British start but would not have to be anything special to figure in this company. If the ground is not too soft, Amore Mio, who has come down a lot in the weights after some below-par performances, could run well, and another who would be suited by drying ground is Extra Bold (Emma Lavelle/ Sam Thomas) in the handicap chase at 17.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Omaruru - Kuilsriver - Cuckoo Rock
2. Race: Ilewin Tom - Jack`S Lad - Bertenbar
3. Race: Captain Kirkton - Featherbed Lane - Get It On
4. Race: Stop The Show - Portrait Royale - Brushford
5. Race: If I Had Him - Erdeli - Whipperway
6. Race: Extra Bold - Sordid Secret - Folie A Deux
7. Race: Queens Bay - Spirit D`Armor - Homer Run