Musselburgh only N.H. racing today

the bad weather continues in many parts of the British Isles, with the South and South-West particularly badly affected. Today´s N.H. card at Lingfield has long since been abandoned, and there could be problems for tomorrow´s high class Sandown fixture.
The Eastern half of Scotland has not been so badly hit so far, and there should no problems for today´s card at Musselburgh, although the going will obviously be soft. Local trainer Lucinda Russell fields a strong team, with runners in all 7 races and we expect her to make the short journey home afterwards with several winners in the bag. Her most interesting runner, in our view, is The Starboard Bow with stable jockey Peter Buchanan, who has top weight in the handicap hurdle at 14.40 CET. He has not run for almost 2 years, but has won over this CD and is very well handicapped on his old form. His most dangerous opponent could be Cadore (Lucy Normile/ Grant Cockbiurn), who meets his CD conqueror Pass Muster (Philip Kirby/ Adam Nicol) on 15 lbs better terms this time. This claimer also rides for Lucinda and can take the 3 miies handicap chase at 16.10 on her Kris Cross, a winner at Ascot in November and a non-runner yesterday at Ayr. That meeting was notable for a double by Irish trainer Stuart Crawford, who is in great form, and he can score again here with Solidago at 15.40; Burns Night is not due for another 3 weeks, but the horse of that name (Kirby/ Nicol) looks the main threat. Lucinda can start a good day for her stable by taking the first two races with Final Assault (Buchanan) at 13.40 and Ballycool (DR Fox) half an hour later.
The most interesting runner at today´s 3 a.w. meetings could be Unscripted (Richard Hannon( Sean Levey), who goes for the 7 furlongs maiden at 18.00 at Wolverhamptpn. He is the first runner for Hannon junior since he took over his father´s stable at the start of the year. Obviously he will be expected to win, but we do not recommend a bet as many punters will think the same, and he will probably start at an artificially short price.

Betting forecast Musselburgh:
1. Race: Katachenko - Empresario - King Of Strings
2. Race: Ballycool - Coax - Civil Unrest
3. Race: Pass Muster - Cadore - The Starboard Bow
4. Race: Reaping The Reward - Jet Master - Witness In Court
5. Race: Solidago - Ryton Runner - Stitched In Time
6. Race: Kris Cross - Rossini`S Dancer - Lively Baron
7. Race: Elfego Baca - Cousin Guillaume - Coozan George