October 14 / 16.20 Musselburgh

16.20

Good

Gloria Roche Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 7f 15y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Gloria Roche Memorial Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 638423

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Returned from a spell of hurdling to break turf duck over 1m at Ayr in May; has had some close calls over that trip and 7f since but needs more than his latest run over this trip, at Ayr on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Ayr

Golden Valour

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran (5-81) stablemate of Zebra Star; respectable third over 1m here (good to firm) in July, but could make only minimal inroads over C&D (fifth; 22-1) latest; this is a slightly easier task.

18/1

5th

12

(13)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ayr

Golden Valour

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: R Mike Smith

Now 1lb lower than for his Musselburgh win (1m, good) last September but he hasn't posed a serious threat this season and was well held over C&D last Monday; needs to raise his game.

16/1

6th

9

(7)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Golden Valour

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran with plenty of course form to his name; third of nine over 1m here last week (winner Runninsonofagun runs in the 4.00); one of three runners for the stable.

10/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 891317 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Not at best at Ripon in August but he'd previously won both course starts in 2024, over 7f (made all) and 1m1f (both on good) yet he's still below his highest winning mark in 2023; has claims back from break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

22nd Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Code Purple

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Not one to trust and had the run of things up front when posting a better performance over 1m1f here recently; not sure to back that up.

11/2

3

(7)

1st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:00 Musselburgh

Code Purple

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

C&D winner last summer; seemingly back in good form when second of 13 here (1m, good) in April, but disappointed on both outings last month and has become hard to predict.

9/2

4

(2)

19th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:15 Ripon

Code Purple

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

Enters calculations on the form of his second in 1m Musselburgh handicap in April but he beat only one over 7f there 12 days ago; he needs to get back on track.

14/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 678764

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Won 6f novice as 2yo but is finding her 3yo career rather hard work, despite dropping in the weights; must improve for first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Havana Rose

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

in touch with leaders, weakened over 2f out

8/1

6th

7

(2)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Havana Rose

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

in touch with leaders, weakened over 2f out

8/1

7th

9

(4)

24th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Havana Rose

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

led

10/1

20/1

Form: 685007 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Latest of multiple wins came at 7f last August; below par lately, including behind The Gay Blade over C&D 12 days ago, but won in cheekpieces earlier in career and they're refitted for the first time since 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

11th

12

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:35 Musselburgh

Black Friday

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

4th

8

(5)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Black Friday

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: R Mike Smith

Latest of multiple wins came at 7f last August; below par lately, including behind The Gay Blade over C&D 12 days ago, but won in cheekpieces earlier in career and they're refitted for the first time since 2022.

20/1

Form: 541341 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Handles most surfaces; has already won four handicaps this year, the latest with authority over C&D (good) 12 days ago; back up 4lb but a similar effort would see him go very close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(2)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

14:45 Catterick

The Gay Blade

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Six wins this year alone, three over 6f on AW and three on turf (7f); just 2lb higher than the latest of them in June but he needs more than shown in recent starts.

25/1

8th

5

(6)

9th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:17 Carlisle

The Gay Blade

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Reeled off a hat-trick in the summer (first two legs over C&D); unplaced on his last two starts and likely too high in the weights now.

14/1

10th

2

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has risen to new heights this year, winning six times, the most recent three over 7f on turf (good and soft), but his charmed run ended at Musselburgh last week; runs off the same mark today and has ground to make up on Abduction; may need weight off his back now.

10/1

11/4

Form: 944-21 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo; has improved since upped to 7f for new yard, going close on reappearance at Carlisle (good) then off the mark over C&D last month, both efforts advertised since (the winner of the Carlisle race now on a 15lb higher mark); up 3lb; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:55 Newcastle (AW)

Space Ninja

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

Gained a deserved breakthrough success at Musselburgh (7f) in September but he came in only sixth of ten there eight days ago; he's the sort to bounce back though.

4/1

6th

5

(6)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Space Ninja

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

Lightly raced 3yo; has improved since upped to 7f for new yard, going close on reappearance at Carlisle (good) then off the mark over C&D last month, both efforts advertised since (the winner of the Carlisle race now on a 15lb higher mark); up 3lb; good chance.

11/4

1st

4

(9)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Space Ninja

9st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Lightly raced; first run for this yard and gelded when runner-up at Carlisle (7f, good), coming clear with the winner who has impressed since; off just 2lb higher he makes plenty of appeal.

3/1

7/1

Form: 418555 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Not obviously in the pink since 7f win at Ayr in July, including behind The Gay Blade over C&D latest, but he wasn't in much form before winning this at 16-1 last year; 3lb lower today and enters the argument.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins on turf but yet to fire for current yard; on a career-low mark and first-time blinkers are now equipped alongside the hood; not yet one to give up on for respected stable.

12/1

8th

13

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins on turf but yet to fire for current yard; on a career-low mark and first-time blinkers are now equipped alongside the hood; not yet one to give up on for respected stable.

12/1

5th

8

(5)

26th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Appleby

Free-going sort who hasn't been at his best for his new stable on AW this year; now 10lb lower than for his Ayr win last summer (7f, good), however, and no surprise were the return to turf to have a positive effect.

12/1

Form: 07584

Last run: 54 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Has had fewer chances than any but she faded in a 6f classified at Thirsk two starts ago and again found little on handicap debut at Carlisle (7f, good) in August; up against it for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(10)

15th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:50 Brighton

Rogers Dream

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gihan Arnolda

In good form for her new yard this year, running away with a Ripon handicap (1m2f, soft) in August and close up in third at Ffos Las (1m2f, soft) off an 11lb higher mark last month; up another 2lb today but she's on the up and can't be ignored.

11/4

3rd

2

(5)

21st Sep 2026

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:52 Ffos Las

Rogers Dream

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Gihan Arnolda

Low-mileage 5yo who displayed sudden jolt of improvement in Ripon classified (1m2f, soft) three weeks ago, making all to win readily by over 7l; now needs to build on that performance on these tougher terms.

5/1

Form: 012164 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Two wins in 2024, 1m classified at Ayr (good) and 7f AW handicap, and her challenge behind The Gay Blade over C&D recently didn't get off to a good start as she had to be switched; can make more of an impact here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:48 Musselburgh

Keep Me Stable

9st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Linda Perratt

Ran well twice in August, including C&D, but her form has dropped off more recently; one of two runners for connections.

16/1

13th

12

(4)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Keep Me Stable

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Linda Perratt

Three Musselburgh wins last year (all on good); hasn't found quite the same form this year, despite placing over C&D (good to soft) in August; disappointed at Musselburgh just five days ago.

16/1

7th

8

(1)

12th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

18:20 Musselburgh

Keep Me Stable

9st 1lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

Three course wins last summer, at 1m and 7f (all on good); not in quite the same form this year, despite finishing second of five to stablemate Monhammer over C&D in August, and it would have been encouraging to see her at least repeat that run back here since; has some work to do.

12/1

10th
9 (10)
Warminster

20/1

Form: 974765

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins, the latest in May, but he hasn't been in much form in the second half of this year and has yet to prove suited by 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

17th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Warminster

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Katie Scott

Well treated on his old form but he's an infrequent winner who has finished down the field in his last six starts and last two have been on Tapeta; down the list.

10/1

6th

6

(10)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Warminster

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Katie Scott

taken down early, led, headed over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

6th

6

(10)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Warminster

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Katie Scott

taken down early, led, headed over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

Form: 497769

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Wasn't far away in a C&D classified in August but she's been found wanting in handicaps since and has plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:20 Musselburgh

Onthebunny

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Linda Perratt

Wasn't far away in a C&D classified in August but she's been found wanting in handicaps since and has plenty to find.

33/1

9th

9

(4)

1st Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Onthebunny

8st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Linda Perratt

18-race maiden who continues to find handicaps hard work; makes very limited appeal.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.70
Straight Forecast £37.14
Tricast £295.74
Trifecta £458.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Space Ninja

POSTDATA:

The Gay Blade

Daily Mail:

Code Purple

RP RATINGS:

Space Ninja

The Times:

Space Ninja

The Guardian:

Space Ninja

D Express:

Space Ninja

The Sun:

Space Ninja

Daily Record:

Space Ninja

Telegraph:

The Gay Blade

Daily Mirror:

The Gay Blade

The Star:

The Gay Blade