August 24 / 15.20 Musselburgh

15.20

Good

Robert Roache Portobello Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £10476
  • 2m 2f 28y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Robert Roache Portobello Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 585466 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Four turf wins last year, over 1m6f here on last two occasions; he's back 1lb above his last winning turf mark, having failed to make an impact since his AW win in March; had a 2m win on Newcastle AW in March 2021 but peak efforts have been over shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February and posted a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month; must enter calculations in refitted cheekpieces.

3/1

3rd

1

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Wise Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Adam Nicol

Won this prize in 2023 and had a fruitful Flat/hurdles campaign last winter before his close fourth in this; while he did not make an impact in either of his Flat runs this winter, latest hurdles form was his best in that sphere; 8lb lower than the 2025 renewal and a case can certainly be made.

13/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Runner-up here (2m, soft) last February and back on song when third at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on an attractive mark judged on his very useful Flat form, but he needs to raise his game if he's to take this.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 034459 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Mostly solid over the last year, probably effective at 1m5f-2m2f, before backward steps at Musselburgh (won here once last term) and Haydock (overdid it up front) in space of three days on last two outings; those runs drop her down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Ripon

Haizoom

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in fourth

3/1

3rd

4

(4)

17th Sep 2023

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

17:10 Musselburgh

Haizoom

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Made a winning start for current yard at Ripon (2m) in June but her form has dipped recently, only sixth in 1m6f Newmarket handicap 29 days ago; she needs to bounce back.

10/1

6th

8

(6)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Haizoom

8st 9lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a four-runner race on stable debut at Ripon (2m) in June but that's her best run this year; probably okay on soft ground but soundly beaten on heavy on latest outing; back to her last winning mark.

14/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 313155 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
His third win last term came over C&D; below form on latest outing but he was in good form going into that and may well bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(8)

5th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

14:00 Lingfield (AW)

Gift Of Raaj

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

disputed lead early, prominent after 2f

8/1

4th

5

(5)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 32y

Class 6

16:20 Beverley

Gift Of Raaj

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

prominent

12/1

4th

3

(4)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

16:55 Redcar

Gift Of Raaj

9st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Won this in 2021; tends to be all or nothing these days and his latest C&D fourth at a big price, when getting no peace in front (King Of Unicorns behind), was more like it on his second run back from a break.

8/1

11/2

Form: 356

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Can make the running; won two bumpers and 2m maiden hurdle; switched to Flat rules and showed ability all three starts (1m2f/1m4f) last month, big odds every time; should be a lot more interesting on this Flat handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

24th Sep 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:23 Ripon

Chuvelo

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide home turn, pushed along 4f out, ridden 3f out, edged right over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, no match for first two

4/1

1st

1

(7)

7th Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

17:00 Carlisle

Chuvelo

10st 1lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Donald McCain

made all, pushed along 4f out, switched to near side 3f out, faced strong challenge 2f out, drifted right 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably

11/1

4th

4

(3)

24th Aug 2022

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Musselburgh

Chuvelo

8st 11lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Donald McCain

led, ridden under 4f out, headed and lost second over 2f out, kept on but lost third towards finish

11/2

9/2

Form: 656753

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Made debut only in May; his most competitive display was on latest start (his third handicap) when upped to 1m5f on good ground at Hamilton and staying on from the back to take third of seven off this mark; effectiveness over this extra 5f is bit of a guess but he now enters serious calculations for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Handled testing conditions best, bounding clear to make it 2-3 over C&D (soft; a 23l winner) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted, and he's now 9lb higher moving up into a Class 4; still enters calculations though, with 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retaining the ride.

7/4

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

Form: -54662

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
9yo who is nothing like the force of old and races mainly on the AW these days but he was second of 13 when 33-1 at Carlisle (2m1f, good) on latest outing, with Idilico about 2l back in fourth; well handicapped on his AW form last autumn/winter even and it's not hard to construct a form case for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

15th Sep 2022

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:37 Pontefract

Manjaam

9st 8lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Stella Barclay

took keen hold, disputed lead, led clearly after 2f, headed but prominent after 7f, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

6th

6

(1)

24th Aug 2022

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Musselburgh

Manjaam

8st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Stella Barclay

towards rear, shaken up over 4f out, short of room and switched left 3f out, made no impression

5/1

2nd

5

(1)

1st Aug 2022

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

18:40 Carlisle

Manjaam

10st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Stella Barclay

prominent, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish

25/1

7/2

Form: 4451-4

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Fair hurdler these days, winner over 2m4f here in February and at Perth 11 days ago; the latter came 12 days after his creditable fourth of 13 on the Flat at Carlisle (2m1f; won previous Flat start in September) when Manjaam was runner-up; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Idilico

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Alexandra Dunn

Runner-up in selling handicap hurdle last month but well beaten on the Flat twice since, and his record over fences is not convincing; blinkers fitted for first time since 2021; too risky.

16/1

10th

6

(7)

18th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:16 Lingfield (AW)

Idilico

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Alexandra Dunn

towards rear, headway and prominent after 4f

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6470/5

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Useful stayer on Flat in 2020 for Ralph Beckett; missed 2021 and kept to hurdling this year (failed to set the world alight, though did win in April) until his last of five over 2m on Flat at Pontefract three weeks ago; bit to prove at the moment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

10th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:25 Market Rasen

Cliffs Of Dooneen

10st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Very useful on the Flat in his prime and made winning handicap hurdle debut in 2022; has lost his way but the latest run at Wetherby was more encouraging.

25/1

7th

8

10th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:25 Market Rasen

Cliffs Of Dooneen

10st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Very useful on the Flat in his prime and made winning handicap hurdle debut in 2022; has lost his way but the latest run at Wetherby was more encouraging.

25/1

5th

5

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Wetherby

Cliffs Of Dooneen

10st 13lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Rose Dobbin

Very useful on the Flat in his prime and made winning handicap hurdle debut in 2022 but made low-key return from long absence last month and would appeal much more on good ground.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £12.61
Tricast £55.87
Trifecta £65.50

Selections

Daily Mail:

Wise Eagle

SPOTLIGHT:

Chuvelo

TOPSPEED:

Gift Of Raaj

RP Ratings:

Two Auld Pals

Daily Record:

Idilico

The Guardian:

Manjaam

The Star:

Two Auld Pals

Daily Express:

Wise Eagle

The Sun:

Wise Eagle

The Times:

Chuvelo

Telegraph:

Chuvelo

POSTDATA:

Gift Of Raaj

Daily Mirror:

Gift Of Raaj