August 11 / 14.20 Musselburgh

14.20

Good

Champagne Pommery Cuvee Louise Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 4f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Champagne Pommery Cuvee Louise Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

Form: 27-112 CD BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Thrived during May, winning successive races (over C&D and at Hamilton); didn't get the breaks when it mattered most, chasing home Sophiesticate over C&D (good) seven weeks ago; still competitive from this mark (5lb higher than last winning mark).
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

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 565311

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer; feasibly weighted seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back Beverley wins (1m2f; has risen a combined total of 5lb); the stable is going really well, he's versatile ground wise, and this sharp track should suit; enthusiasm is tempered by inconclusive stamina over 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(10)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:28 Redcar

Freak Out

10st 0lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Gemma Tutty

The standout in-form candidate after front-running efforts on last three starts brought two 1m2f Beverley wins and a short-head defeat off this mark in blanket finish over Musselburgh's 1m4f; should go very well again.

3/1

2nd

3

(3)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

14:20 Musselburgh

Freak Out

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: Gemma Tutty

Prominent racer; feasibly weighted seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back Beverley wins (1m2f; has risen a combined total of 5lb); the stable is going really well, he's versatile ground wise, and this sharp track should suit; enthusiasm is tempered by inconclusive stamina over 1m4f.

7/2

Form: -89225

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last September, and she's been operating near that level in her last three starts; these improved terms offer a chance to take revenge over Simple Star (Hamilton) and Gibside (York), and she has a good record under the returning Paul Mulrennan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

21st Aug 2023

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:25 Catterick

A La Francaise

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last September and she returned to form with a very close third at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) ten days ago; she's one to consider under the promising Jack Nicholls.

7/2

3rd

6

(1)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

14:20 Musselburgh

A La Francaise

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Off the mark at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last September, and she's been operating near that level in her last three starts; these improved terms offer a chance to take revenge over Simple Star (Hamilton) and Gibside (York), and she has a good record under the returning Paul Mulrennan.

6/1

5th

11

(5)

14th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

A La Francaise

9st 3lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Jim Goldie

held up in rear, steady headway on near side of group from over 2f out, outpaced and edged left over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

6/1

20/1

Form: 674366 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Musselburgh regular, Flat (five wins) and jumps (one win), but it is worth highlighting that she was a distant last of nine in this race last year; fairly low-key since finishing third to Simple Star over C&D in May, so it is tough to build a compelling case; stablemate of Can't Stop Now.
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: 321-40

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Game Flat winner at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft) last October, and has won over hurdles here since then; slowly away and always behind when returning from a four-month break at Ayr (1m) less than a fortnight ago; this trip is a much better fit, but others appeal more; stablemate of Smart Lass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

12th

1

(3)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

6/1

9/2

Form: 016886 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Resumed winning ways over C&D (good to soft; same mark) in April; has failed to supplement that Sky Bet Sunday Series win since, and didn't appear to fully stay 2m - first attempt at that trip - on the AW at Kempton last month; it's possible that the return to Musselburgh can reap dividends.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

26th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Fairmac

10st 13lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f; underwent breathing operation before going hurdling for current yard and has now had another, having underperformed in handicap on this course in September; new headgear combination today.

16/1

8th

2

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:05 Kelso

Fairmac

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Won five Flat races at up to 1m4f for the Johnstons (latest win for Anthony Charlton was on snow); had wind surgery before running two creditable races over hurdles this summer, last time finishing third in a maiden at Perth (2m, good; pulled quite hard); interesting on handicap debut.

4/1

3rd

4

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Fairmac

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Multiple Flat winner at up to 12.5f (stays 1m6f; RPR 90); not without support when 15-2 on his hurdling debut at Cartmel (2m1f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month, when unable to get in a serious blow; no surprise if he shows improvement.

6/1

5/2

Form: -51813 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
In the form of his life over recent months, posting ready wins at Carlisle (1m3f) and York (1m4f, good to soft); unable to justify favouritism from this career-high mark at York (third) a fortnight ago but that was still a commendable effort, and this is a weaker contest (Class 5); major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Gibside

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Handles most surfaces and his eight wins include two here, latterly over 2m in 2024; last scored at Catterick (1m4f) off 3lb higher in October and after some lesser efforts this season he was much more competitive when third back there (1m6f) a fortnight ago; contender to step forward again and he's considered.

10/1

3rd

6

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 4

20:23 Catterick

Gibside

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Two course wins, including this race off 8lb lower in 2024 (good to firm); highly tried and not been at his best this season but quite interesting down in grade.

10/1

10th

12

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Gibside

8st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 3lb higher and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his four efforts this season a long way behind him, however.

20/1

Form: 4208-7

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Sole win came at Doncaster (2m Class 5, good to firm) in April 2022, although he did also go close at Thirsk (2m) later in the season; ran okay until weakening from the two-furlong pole at York (2m) last month on reappearance; may strip fitter for that back over this less-taxing 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(1)

10th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:45 York

Tendentious

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Began the season with two heavy defeats but he bounced back to form when scoring at Redcar a fortnight ago (1m6f, good to firm; cheekpieces back on); consistency hasn't been his strong suit so no guarantee he'll be in the same form; non-runner at Thirsk yesterday.

2/1

1st

7

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

18:30 Redcar

Tendentious

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Sole win came at Doncaster (2m Class 5, good to firm) in April 2022, although he did also go close at Thirsk (2m) later in the season; bit to prove after finishing down the field in his two outings this year.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £27.88
Tricast £87.32

Selections

The Times:

Simple Star

TOPSPEED:

Freak Out

SPOTLIGHT:

Gibside

RP RATINGS:

Fairmac

Telegraph:

Gibside

Daily Mail:

Simple Star

D Express:

Simple Star

Daily Mirror:

Simple Star

The Sun:

Simple Star

The Star:

Simple Star

Daily Record:

Simple Star

POSTDATA:

Freak Out

The Guardian:

Freak Out