May 05 / 15.50 Musselburgh

15.50

Good To Soft

Central Taxis Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 4f 104y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
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Central Taxis Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 75727-

Last run: 221 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Competitively treated on best Flat efforts; however, has a question mark over current form having achieved little in handicap hurdles for new yard this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Simple Star

9st 4lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Dianne Sayer

Took step back in right direction when second of five at Musselburgh (2m, good) last month but was unable to lay a glove on Cascade Hall and will need to build on that performance here.

9/2

2nd

3

(6)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

13:50 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Dianne Sayer

Soundly beaten on both Flat starts this year (1m4f/2m), and just a respectable fifth over hurdles 12 days ago; now 2lb lower than when second here (2m2f, good) last summer but needs to up his game.

7/2

5th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Simple Star

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Not seen over hurdles since scoring at Perth (2m) last July but he comes here fit from the Flat and was also a good second on this card 12 months ago; considered.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2382-8

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Possibly unsuited by the return to AW on reappearance; still a maiden but was runner-up four times on turf last year and has a fighting chance on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Belle Of Annandale

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: R Mike Smith

Very well treated on some of last year's form for Adrian Keatley and seems versatile ground-wise but has not been firing on all cylinders in recent months.

14/1

9

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Belle Of Annandale

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: R Mike Smith

Very well treated on some of last year's form for Adrian Keatley and seems versatile ground-wise but has not been firing on all cylinders in recent months.

14/1

8

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Perth

Belle Of Annandale

10st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: R Mike Smith

Won a 2m maiden here and a 1m7f novice at Musselburgh in 2023; bit disappointing in handicaps at up to 3m last season but well handicapped as a result.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 40-674 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Took a step back in right direction at Thirsk last month and seems poised to build on that effort, considering her good record (5-9) at this venue; interesting off a handy mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

16th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

16:40 Musselburgh

Smart Lass

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has won here five times on the Flat (1m4f/1m5f) and once over hurdles (1m7f); patchy form of late and below par here most recently, while she needs to prove her stamina, but she can't be ruled out given her record here.

7/1

5th

5

(3)

17th Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:35 Musselburgh

Smart Lass

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

dwelt start, soon recovered to lead

9/2

6th

5

(7)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

18:12 Ayr

Smart Lass

9st 13lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, led at fast pace, reduced lead 6f out, headed under 3f out

3/1

Form: -82526

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Capable of going well, having finished runner-up on four occasions (turf/AW) since last summer; however, this 7yo maiden may again prove unable to go one better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:58 Redcar

Billy Bathgate

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

A four-time scorer (including here in 2025); in good nick without winning this season, finding drop to 1m4f against him when a staying-on sixth of 12 at Newcastle last time; this veteran needs considering back up in trip.

4/1

6th

14

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Billy Bathgate

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ewan Whillans

Four wins last season included two here at 2m; never figured in this race last term but he's been in the frame all nine starts this year and was unlucky when fifth at this track in December on his last go at 1m4f; each-way prospects.

14/1

4th

8

(8)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billy Bathgate

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ewan Whillans

10yo whose easily most successful season was 2025, with four wins; the latest was at this track (2m) in December and he's held his form, including over C&D, so has each-way claims once again.

5/1

3/1

Form: 0211-4 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Creditable fourth at Kempton (back from layoff) last month when bidding for AW hat-trick; remains in form and commands respect having gained sole turf success in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

15:48 Pontefract

Lednikov

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Often a front runner who has gained six of his seven wins on the AW at Southwell; Elle-May Croot knows him especially well, but a record of 1-20 on turf suggests others are more likely.

10/1

5th

2

(4)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

15:45 Beverley

Lednikov

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Six of his seven wins have been on the AW at Southwell, the most recent by a wide margin over 1m6f in March under Elle-May Croot; held in four starts since and others are preferred.

8/1

Form: 63721/ C

Last run: 610 days

W: 9st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner down the years but has been absent since his Haydock success (off this mark) in September 2021; returns as a 10yo; follow the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(5)

8th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Great Colaci

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gillian Boanas

Veteran who notched a ninth win at the track when landing a 0-50 classified over C&D last month; since well held behind four of these back into handicap company and others are stronger once more.

10/1

7th

9

(1)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Great Colaci

9st 0lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Gillian Boanas

midfield

13/2

1st

3

(7)

10th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Great Colaci

9st 2lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Gillian Boanas

Veteran with eight course wins to his name, most recently over 1m4f in September; went close over 1m last month and returning to this intermediate trip should suit; not ruled out each-way.

11/2

2/1

Form: 800-12 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
In good form on Tapeta at Southwell (belatedly regained the winning thread) and Wolverhampton (close second) this season; turf win (in 2020) came off a higher mark; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

14:17 Southwell (AW)

Carlos Felix

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Stella Barclay

Won at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) last November but he's had only five runs since and has struggled in all of them; now 2lb lower than for that last success but he needs a major turnaround; cheekpieces reapplied.

14/1

1

(8)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

14:17 Southwell (AW)

Carlos Felix

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Stella Barclay

Won at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) last November but he's had only five runs since and has struggled in all of them; now 2lb lower than for that last success but he needs a major turnaround; cheekpieces reapplied.

14/1

9th

6

(5)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Carlos Felix

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Stella Barclay

Not beaten many in three starts this year and has been off for five months, but he is back off the same mark as when successful over C&D this time last year which came after a similar absence; worth a second look.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 244-8

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Maiden who has form in bumpers, over hurdles and on Flat; heavy going was a possible excuse on handicap/seasonal debut; may improve back on forecast better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

2nd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

2m 1f 47y

Class 6

17:16 Carlisle

Scottish Wind

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

Placed in a bumper and made promising start to Flat career last summer but both handicap runs this year have been very disappointing; first-time cheekpieces need to revive his fortunes.

12/1

2

(3)

23rd May 2023

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

21:00 Ayr

Scottish Wind

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Lucinda Russell

8th

2

(4)

5th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Scottish Wind

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Lucinda Russell

towards rear, pushed along from over 3f out, no impression from 2f out

10/1

9th
9 (5)
Pammi

25/1

Form: 87/07/ D

Last run: 618 days

W: 8st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Has a better strike-rate over hurdles than on the Flat; only wins under this code came in 2018 and not seen in this sphere since 2021; percentage call is to oppose her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

19:05 Perth

Pammi

10st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple C&D winner; fourth (beaten 16l, with Dailileo third) in this race last year, and it's fair to say that she's yet to really fire in 2024; weakened (eighth of ten) over C&D last time, which leaves her work to do with Diamond State.

16/1

8th

5

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Pammi

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple C&D scorer who also took this in 2021 and 2022; came in last on the Flat at Hamilton recently but she had shaped well when a C&D third last month so rates a player once more for yard among the winners.

7/2

7th

9

(7)

19th Jun 2024

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

13:45 Hamilton

Pammi

9st 0lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

in touch with leaders

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.80
Straight Forecast £49.91
Tricast £211.23
Trifecta £281.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lednikov

The Times:

Carlos Felix

RP RATINGS:

Smart Lass

POSTDATA:

Lednikov

The Guardian:

Lednikov

Daily Mail:

Lednikov

Daily Mirror:

Lednikov

The Star:

Lednikov

Telegraph:

Carlos Felix

D Express:

Carlos Felix

Daily Record:

Carlos Felix

The Sun:

Smart Lass