June 03 / 15.40 Musselburgh

15.40

Good

Edinburgh Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £20616
  • 1m 0f 208y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Edinburgh Cup Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.60
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 553-34

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Highly tried after winning his first two starts last summer and has performed with credit since switching to handicaps, albeit he didn't appear to handle the undulations of Newmarket (1m2f, soft) last month; return to better ground may help and not dismissed; stable three-handed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

12th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Useful on turf and has performed well in both AW starts, bolting up in a weak Newcastle novice (7f, Tapeta) as a 2yo and only beaten two necks into third of 14 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack; first-time blinkers) last month; may still have more to offer and respected up 1lb.

8/1

3rd

1

(2)

12th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Useful on turf and has performed well in both AW starts, bolting up in a weak Newcastle novice (7f, Tapeta) as a 2yo and only beaten two necks into third of 14 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack; first-time blinkers) last month; may still have more to offer and respected up 1lb.

8/1

3rd

10

(9)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

midfield

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -35647

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Back off the same mark as for the last of four wins last year and has run some good races since returning, including when fourth of nine at Haydock (1m, good) on his penultimate outing (form worked out well), but yet to truly convince he wants this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Chepstow

Coco Jack

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

All four wins were last summer, beaten nine times this season but there has been the occasional good run and he's becoming well handicapped; goes on good to soft but anything softer would be a worry; gets new blinkers.

10/1

9th

5

(6)

21st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Newmarket (July)

Coco Jack

9st 8lb

J: Levi Bedford

T: George Scott

Four-time winner but now exposed and had no excuses from a good position when fifth here last week (1m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces); best form is at shorter.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £7.20

Form: 1351-9 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Two wins last season, a Hamilton maiden (1m, soft) and a Wolverhampton nursery (8.6f, AW), but having been gelded he finished tailed off on his reappearance here (1m, good to soft) in April; needs to leave that effort well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

18:30 Bellewstown

Venetian

9st 11lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Second runner for yard; four AW wins; 1-16 on turf; kept very busy on AW in recent months, on latest collared close home when runner-up over 7f off current mark; 7lb claimer takes over from Colin Keane; one to consider.

4/1

2nd

5

(5)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Venetian

9st 11lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four AW wins up to an extended 1m1f, twice over C&D including in January off 74; kept busy since over various trips, most recently best work at finish after a slow start (stalls slow to open) when beaten 1.5l over 6f; return to 7f to suit and okay mark so one to consider.

5/1

Form: 651254

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Did well after returning to turf in April, winning at Redcar (1m2f, soft) and finishing miles clear of the rest when second of 12 here (1m, good to soft); hasn't matched that level in his last two starts, albeit he ran with some credit when fourth of eight back at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) on Tuesday; vulnerable to less-exposed rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Iatos Angel

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Keith Dalgleish

slowly into stride, held up in last

5/1

4th

8

(11)

3rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

15:40 Musselburgh

Iatos Angel

8st 8lb

J: Danny Sheehy

T: Keith Dalgleish

midfield, pushed along and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong

10/1

Form: 40-512

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in his qualifying runs but made an immediate impact in handicaps when winning narrowly at Haydock (1m, good) in April; probably put up an even better performance when a close second of 14 at Sandown (1m, good) nine days ago having started from the outside stall; extra furlong should suit and a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Dancing In Paris

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Consistent sort who was third in this last year (good) and has gone close three times this season, including at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) last month; another good run when fourth of 13 at York (2m, good to firm) last time and he's a solid each-way contender.

8/1

9/2

Form: 32216

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Only made his debut in February and made it fourth-time lucky when narrowly beating a subsequent winner in a Thirsk novice (1m, soft) in April; only beaten around 2l when sixth of 14 in a traditionally warm contest on handicap debut at Newbury (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and remains open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(13)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:45 Ayr

Old Smoke

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Richard Fahey

1m novice winner on soft in April and acquitted himself well when sixth of 14 in the traditionally strong London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f) on his handicap debut in May; hasn't advanced his form since but most efforts have been respectable and the drop back in trip is worth a go after he faded into fifth over 8.6f at Wolverhampton latest.

10/1

5th

2

(8)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Old Smoke

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Fair since handicapping, given he hasn't looked to see out 1m2f a few times, latterly in cheekpieces; this is a touch easier down another 2lb and he holds each-way claims.

10/1

4th

5

(1)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Chepstow

Old Smoke

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Delivered on earlier promise when narrow winner of Thirsk novice (1m, soft) in April and was creditable sixth in valuable handicap when upped to 1m2f at Newbury (good) in May; good claims if judged on that evidence but wasn't in same form on last two outings (cheekpieces added last time).

12/1

11/1

Form: 341424

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who doubled his winning tally at Newcastle (7f, AW) in February and has run well in both starts returned to turf, including when fourth of eight at Chester (1m2f, good) seven days ago; relatively exposed after 14 starts, though, and surprising if there isn't something more progressive to beat him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(9)

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Bath

Look Back Smiling

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Neil Mulholland

Usually slowly away; lost his form last autumn but he's thrown in judged on plenty of earlier 2025 form, never mind peak efforts; first run since he left Gemma Tutty for 9,000gns in December and the market may guide.

14/1

11th

6

(14)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:25 Redcar

Look Back Smiling

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Stuck on a losing run but competitive in 7f/1m handicaps this year (and a seller) and heavy ground perhaps not ideal the last time; could go well.

10/1

25/1

Form: 42-827

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-7; second of six at Ayr (7f, good) in May is easily the best of his four runs in handicaps this season; raced too freely in front from the inside stall when he tried 1m at Carlisle on Friday; now steps up in trip again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

14:51 Hamilton

Kelpie Grey

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

His losing sequence goes back 16 races to May 2024 and his form has gone the wrong way; however, he's dropped to a dangerous mark and ran respectably when fifth of nine over 7f at Ayr a fortnight ago (11-8 favourite), when shaping as though the return to 6f may help; not ruled out.

9/2

5th

2

(4)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:12 Ayr

Kelpie Grey

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Went off the boil towards the end of last season and also below his best on last month's reappearance at Musselburgh, taking his losing sequence to 15; however, this two-time C&D winner may have needed that latest outing and he's well handicapped on last year's best course form; not ruled out.

4/1

6th

9

(9)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Kelpie Grey

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

0-14 since winning four of his five starts between October 2023 and May 2024, but is 2-5 around here and very well treated on form as recently as last summer; off five months, but is proven fresh.

16/1

Form: 7520-3

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Progressive in his first three starts last year prior to a modest effort on nursery debut at York (7f, good); gelded in the autumn and was beaten a fair way by the first two when third of six on his Beverley return (7f, good to soft) in April, but shaped as though he needed further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:10 Cartmel

Common Acclaim

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Not disgraced on handicap hurdle debut in May, after a break, but finished well down the field on latest outing and could be considered only if lively in the betting here.

20/1

12th

6

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:50 Market Rasen

Common Acclaim

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Beaten about 20l when fifth on last month's handicap hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good) but that run came after a break and he remains unexposed over hurdles; possible improver.

12/1

5th

4

7th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

19:12 Southwell

Common Acclaim

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Tim Easterby

Seemed best at 7f on the Flat but never won a race; beaten a long way on all four starts over hurdles and the ground wasn't too soft for any of them; handicap debut.

10/1

10th
6 (1)
Milteye

11/2

Form: 2-231

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Placed in his first three starts and had little trouble in justifying favouritism in a five-runner Redcar maiden (1m, good; first-time cheekpieces) 12 days ago; this a warm race in which to make his handicap debut but he remains unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Milteye

9st 12lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Tailed off on last month's reappearance in the Spring Mile at Doncaster but may have needed the run and those ridden more patiently came to the fore; he won three times last year (1m1f/1m, soft/good) and it will be no surprise if he leaves that latest performance miles behind.

10/1

22th

17

(22)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Milteye

9st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Harriet Bethell

Good strike-rate in the second half of last season featured wins in lower grades at Carlisle (1m1f; twice) and Leicester (1m, soft); faces a stiffer assignment off career-high mark at this level, however.

20/1

6/1

Form: 343-14

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Made a successful handicap debut after six months off at Southwell (1m, AW) in April, but probably put up a better effort when fourth of seven at Newmarket (1m, soft) last month; both the dam's side of her pedigree and the way she performed there suggest the extra furlong should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

22nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:56 Ripon

Gareeb

9st 5lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie Johnston

pushed along briefly soon after start, took keen hold, in touch with leaders on inner

6/1

3rd

3

(1)

21st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

18:35 Ripon

Gareeb

9st 9lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie Johnston

Ran on well to make a winning reappearance in a 1m handicap at Southwell in April; fair fourth at Newmarket next time but she flopped at Musselburgh 18 days ago; quick turnaround suggests nothing sinister came to light and she still has potential; down in grade and up in trip.

11/2

11th

7

(7)

3rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

15:40 Musselburgh

Gareeb

8st 11lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Made a successful handicap debut after six months off at Southwell (1m, AW) in April, but probably put up a better effort when fourth of seven at Newmarket (1m, soft) last month; both the dam's side of her pedigree and the way she performed there suggest the extra furlong should suit.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.50
Straight Forecast £48.72
Tricast £1131.57
Trifecta £1019.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dancing In Paris

TOPSPEED:

Iato's Angel

Daily Mirror:

Milteye

The Times:

Old Smoke

The Guardian:

Venetian

NEWMARKET:

Coco Jack

The Sun:

Common Acclaim

THE NORTH:

Gareeb

Daily Record:

Milteye

RP RATINGS:

Dancing In Paris

Telegraph:

Dancing In Paris

D Express:

Dancing In Paris

The Star:

Dancing In Paris

POSTDATA:

Iato's Angel

Daily Mail:

Iato's Angel