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

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

6th

8

(7)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Dianne Sayer

Plentiful form at Musselburgh with three C&D wins, including last August for his only Flat win last year (4lb higher today); never dangerous when 50-1 for reappearance here two weeks ago but showed promise from out the back and could be a lot more potent this time.

14/1

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

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

6th

10

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Gibside

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from the rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 1lb higher than today and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his three efforts this season a long way behind him, latest when not faring nearly so well with the draw back in Chester Plate, and others have more pressing claims.

25/1

14th

12

(16)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Gibside

9st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from the rear secured this prize last year (good ground) off 1lb lower than today, but also from stall 4 compared to today's stall 16; also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his two efforts this season (1m4f, good) a long way behind him but this may be a much more favourable scenario if the draw does not scupper him.

12/1

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