Musselburgh - Fri 5 Jun 2026
CASCADE HALL beat a subsequent two-time winner at Ayr on his penultimate start before going agonisingly close at Carlisle. The consistent seven-year-old has a good rapport with Lauren Young and another big run looks likely, with the step back up in trip not expected to be an issue. Elemental Eye was on the back of a short break on his most recent outing at Ripon and the betting market can guide for any expectations of a step forward. Simple Star is the pick of the rest.
TIME FOR THE MOON was a well-backed favourite when introduced at Haydock last month. He set the fractions that day and showed tenacity when headed by a more experienced rival and a well-bred newcomer towards the finish. Likely to be more knowledgable for that third-placed effort, he can confirm the form with Tribal Appearance, who wasn't beaten far despite finishing last of four in that race. Heldobeldo is noted too.
Brian Ellison's horses are running better than the current win ratio might have you believe and HOMESTRAIT makes plenty of appeal. Like several of her stable companions, the three-year-old has made steady progress since being reintroduced and she is fancied to go one better after a close second at Catterick. Sandy Craic and Stoic Poet have similar profiles and shouldn't be taken lightly, while Maximum Velocity needs another personal best after going up 5lb for winning at Redcar.
Union Island failed to supplement his Leicester success when only fifth at Hamilton, but he is a course winner who might be worth another chance. Even so, STARLINER looks the way to go. The son of Showcasing finished two places in front of Charlie Johnston's charge when third in that Hamilton contest and can confirm the form, especially now Danny Tudhope is doing the steering. Poet's Dawn completes the shortlist.
RIGHT AND EXACT accounted for Curious Rover (fourth) when beating a subsequent winner into second in this grade at Thirsk last month, and is expected to confirm that form. Off just a 4lb higher mark, Declan Carroll's gelding looks the one to beat. Tiva only found one too good at Hamilton and should remain competitive, while Miss Brazen is another to watch out for.
Longevity failed to show a lot on her three outings in maiden company but could prove a different proposition now competing in the handicap ranks. Catterick scorer Lope Y Linda is also noted, but the one who appeals most is MERESIDE PRINCESS. The daughter of Cotai Glory returned to winning ways at Carlisle last month and this looks a good opportunity to follow up.
Not much of a race and the in-form 7yo CASCADE HALL rates the most likely winner. A winner over this trip at Ayr two starts back, he backed that up with a good second on ground that was a little softer than ideal at Carlisle and conditions here will be more to his liking. The step up in trip is an interesting angle for fancying Velvet Whisper. She's got top weight and remains above her last winning mark but the extra stamina test could be just what she wants. Simple Star is best of the rest but needs more than on recent efforts.
This looks set to go to TIME FOR THE MOON, who showed plenty on his Haydock debut, just getting outpaced when it mattered, but similar front-running tactics can be seen to good effect around here and he's taken to get off the mark at the second attempt. The filly Heldobeldo showed plenty on her Kempton debut over 6f and she promises to improve for the extra furlong here, making her the clear danger. Tribal Appearance is third choice but 6f might suit him better.
The consistent Sandy Craic ought to go well once more with this less competitive than the York handicap she ran in last time while first-time cheekpieces could make a difference. It's STOIC POET who is the selection, though, having returned to his best when runner-up at Haydock last time. He's on a fair mark if building on it. Maximum Velocity is coming off a breakthrough win at Redcar and rates an appealing option also though a 5lb higher mark does ask a bigger question.
Poet's Dawn needs respecting although he might need returning to 10f to be seen to best effect. It's AMIDST THE CHAOS who appeals most, being just 1lb higher than when winning over C&D back in August and has returned to form of late. Starliner isn't the most consistent but he's certainly capable off this sort of mark and is coming off a fair third at Hamilton latest.
Tiva is a solid candidate having returned to her best when runner-up at Hamilton last time. Although 3lb above her last winning mark she should go well, but RIGHT AND EXACT looks a lightly raced 4yo very much on the up and he's taken to defy a 4lb rise for winning at Thirsk last time. He hit the line strongly that day. Third choice is I'm Next, who wasn't at his best at York last time but had earlier been in good form and is a former C&D winner.
Dropping to this 1m trip seemed to suit MERESIDE PRINCESS at Carlisle last time - she showed a good attitude under a front-running ride - and similar tactics could pay off her. Lope Y Linda, a 7f winner at Catterick last time, should again go well off her revised mark stepping back up in trip. She's the danger, although Longevity is coming is coming off a breakthrough success at Catterick herself and looks to have more to offer.
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