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

10th

4

(11)

24th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

15:15 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Gary Rutherford

Three wins over 1m4f here, the latest off 4lb higher last August (good) when with Dianne Sayer; tailed off over 1m5f here last time (slowly away); takes a significant drop in trip; cheekpieces tried.

33/1

5th

2

(3)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:24 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 13lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Gary Rutherford

Won over a slightly shorter trip here fpr Dianne Sayer a year ago but has not been firing on all cylinders this season; managed only fourth of six here (2m, good) on last week's stable debut; needs to up his game.

20/1

4th

5

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gary Rutherford

Three course wins over shorter but does stay this trip; mixed bag so far this year and he needs a recent stable switch (same owner) to spark something extra.

10/1

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

3rd

2

(8)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:19 Newcastle (AW)

Billy Bathgate

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

His six wins, including two here, have all been gained over further; won at Redcar (2m) on his penultimate start and his latest fifth over 1m6f wasn't a bad effort; this is winnable if he handles the drop back in trip.

9/1

5th

6

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

16:57 Redcar

Billy Bathgate

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ewan Whillans

Beat his three rivals fairly comfortably when back on turf here (2m, good to firm) three weeks ago and is evidently in good nick but a recent 4lb rise might be enough to leave this 10yo vulnerable.

6/1

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

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

5th

4

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

14:07 Southwell (AW)

Lednikov

9st 8lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Easy C&D win for regular partner Elle-May Croot in March came off 1lb higher; typically inconsistent since but has claims on his latest turf effort as he chases a seventh course win.

6/1

3rd

4

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

17:20 Doncaster

Lednikov

9st 7lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Often a front-runner and the last six of his seven wins were on Southwell AW, with the latest in March; Elle-May Croot knows him especially well and he's back 1lb below his last winning mark but the return to Southwell (from turf) for latest outing did not spark an upturn; best watched at present.

14/1

4th

6

(9)

23rd Jul 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

19:46 Southwell (AW)

Lednikov

9st 5lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Often a front-runner and gained the last six of his seven wins on this Southwell AW, with the latest win in March; Elle-May Croot knows him especially well, he's back to his last winning mark and return to Southwell (latest run here was five starts ago) might spark something.

12/1

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