March 30 / 15.00 Musselburgh

15.00

Soft

Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 5f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 65113- D

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
No match for Silky Wilkie when second in this race last year on his reappearance; 8lb worse off this time around and although conditions won't be a problem, he'll need a personal best to defy top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Gained two of his ten wins over this C&D and returns here after bouncing back to form with commendable second in last week's Epsom Dash (5f, good to soft); still well handicapped after 3lb rise; likely contender.

11/4

2nd

19

(18)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Vintage Clarets

8st 10lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today.

16/1

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

Form: 35-749 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
He had been in fine form on AW prior to running away with the corresponding race 12 months ago (good to soft); 2lb lower mark this time around but he hasn't hit quite the same heights on AW this winter, albeit that his penultimate fourth reads well on RPR and he was prominent for a long way over 6f latest; apprentice takes off a valuable 7lb; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(14)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Silky Wilkie

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Campaigned almost exclusively over sprint trips; consistent AW form this year includes two wins; effective on turf but hasn't scored in this sphere for three years and he's not the percentage call back at 7f.

25/1

3rd

5

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Silky Wilkie

9st 4lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Ended a long losing run at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in January and he also won at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) in February; he's continued in good form on Tapeta on his last two starts and is also effective over this C&D; might have a part to play.

8/1

3rd

7

(5)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

14:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Silky Wilkie

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Ended a long losing run at Newcastle in January and successful again over C&D last month; poorly drawn when fourth at Southwell last time; one to consider.

7/1

Form: 405-76 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was third to Zarzyni in this race in 2022; rose through the ranks to achieve a peak BHA rating of 103 in early 2023 but he's found life tough since finishing third to Vintage Clarets in a notable AW sprint last summer; not beaten that far in a warm sprint at Newcastle two weeks ago and he's handicapped to go well; used to be effective on slow ground when trained in France.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

31st May 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Fine Wine

9st 3lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Established trailblazer who is 4-14 over C&D and looked to be on the way back when third of nine at Musselburgh (5f, good) at the start of the month; didn't back it up at York (5f, good to firm) next time but this is weaker; best watched for now.

8/1

7th

8

(6)

31st May 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Fine Wine

9st 3lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Established trailblazer who is 4-14 over C&D and looked to be on the way back when third of nine at Musselburgh (5f, good) at the start of the month; didn't back it up at York (5f, good to firm) next time but this is weaker; best watched for now.

8/1

17

(17)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:10 York

Fine Wine

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Scott Dixon

Ran away with this race in 2022 and went on to show smart form on both turf and AW in the next 12 months; not stood a lot of racing since but he showed he retained ability at Musselburgh 13 days ago; this is a much stronger contest but he couldn't be discounted with confidence.

20/1

Form: 48127- CD

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Useful 2yo who was in the handicapper's grip in the early part of his 3yo campaign; back to form with a bang when beating 16 rivals at York (5f, good) last September off 3lb lower; not in the same form in two soft-ground runs to end 2023 and he would make more appeal on a quicker surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

4

(1)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:20 York

Looking For Lynda

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Craig Lidster

Well handicapped on last year's C&D form for Karl Burke but refused to race in April on final outing for that yard and down the field over C&D on recent stable debut, when again awkward at the start; risks attached.

33/1

14th

6

(6)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:07 York

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Beaten 16 times since his C&D win in September 2023; has often run well in defeat, including here, but he put a major black mark on his record at Nottingham in April, belatedly leaving the stalls but downing tools and bucking around immediately afterwards; the combination of a subsequent stable switch/wind surgery/change of headgear could all be beneficial and there's no doubt he has the ability to win a race like this; risky but feared.

10/1

1

(6)

9th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

14:35 Nottingham

Looking For Lynda

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

mounted in chute, refused to race, soon pulled up

5/2

Form: 277-56 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Winless since January 2023 but she had some good form on slow ground last season and ran well in the face of a stiff task at Doncaster last week; apprentice good value for his claim and she's one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -30442 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Pounced late to win this race in 2022 off a 17lb higher mark; that remains his last success but he's run well on AW the last twice and the return of cheekpieces can help; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls prior to latest engagement; has form on soft but usually races on a sounder surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(15)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Three-time C&D winner, including twice off higher marks in the month of April; unlucky third, having found daylight too late, in this race 12 months ago; soft ground was against him here last weekend; likely player if the cards drop right.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Below best on latest course start in October but has a strong C&D record otherwise, three wins include this race (good to soft) last year; now 2lb lower and primed for a good run if he avoids trouble in running.

9/2

7th

10

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Zarzyni

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he did score twice in 2025, the latter win over C&D; 3lb higher in a better race this time and he'll need to be somewhere near last year's best to take this after four months off.

14/1

Form: 00190- D

Last run: 134 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Tactically versatile and won three handicaps over further last season, the latest at Ayr in October off 3lb lower (6f, heavy); should get a strong pace to aim at on his return to action but match-fit rivals may have his measure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(9)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:55 Doncaster

Be Proud

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear, headway over 1f out, went modest third inside final furlong, no match for first two

16/1

9th

8

(10)

10th Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Be Proud

9st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Beat The Caltonian over C&D off this mark in June; in and out since but he won this race 12 months ago off a higher mark and he's one of the likelier types.

10/1

9th

2

(6)

1st Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Ayr

Be Proud

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Up against it on the wrong side in the Silver Cup ten days ago but he'll be happier back in a Class 4 and now on the same mark as the latest of his three course wins (6f, good to firm) in June; one to be interested in.

13/2

Form: 2140-4 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer with a C&D record of 121; only 1lb higher than for her last success and she made a promising return to action at Newcastle 17 days ago; more races to be won with her but she's untried on slower than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

7th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Ran out an easy winner in a small-field soft-ground handicap at Pontefract last spring but the handicapper took umbrage and she's found it tough going since; may have needed January's return to action but she still carries risk despite her much-reduced mark.

9/1

10th

9

(10)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Bryan Smart

ducked sharply left start, prominent in centre of group

14/1

10th

9

(10)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Princess Karine

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Bryan Smart

ducked sharply left start, prominent in centre of group

14/1

Betting Forcast

9/2 Vintage Clarets, 9/4 Silky Wilkie, 9/1 Fine Wine, 10/1 Looking For Lynda, 5/1 Glorious Angel, 9/2 Zarzyni, 25/1 Be Proud, 10/1 Princess Karine

Verdict

Glorious Angel (second choice) ran well for a long way in a Listed race at Doncaster last week and she’s interesting back in a handicap with a good apprentice booked. She’s not the only pace influence in the field though – Fine Wine and Princess Karine are both happiest when dominating – and this could be teed up for SILKY WILKIE to stalk the pace as he did when running away with the corresponding event 12 months ago. Although he’s not been so productive on AW this winter, he’s done enough to think he retains ability and he’s well handicapped now.[Paul Smith]

Selections

POSTDATA:

Glorious Angel

SPOTLIGHT:

Silky Wilkie

The Times:

Princess Karine

The Sun:

Vintage Clarets

THE NORTH:

Zarzyni

The Guardian:

Glorious Angel

D Express:

Glorious Angel

Daily Mirror:

Glorious Angel

The Star:

Glorious Angel

RP RATINGS:

Silky Wilkie

TOPSPEED:

Silky Wilkie

Daily Mail:

Silky Wilkie

Daily Record:

Silky Wilkie

Telegraph:

Princess Karine