March 30 / 14.25 Musselburgh

14.25

Soft

Virgin Bet Silver Arrow Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 7f 15y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Silver Arrow Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 1181- CD

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Progressive in his first season last year; won well at Doncaster (good to soft; off 8lb lower) on final start, taking his record over 7f to 3-3 (sole defeat came at 1m); debut win came at Musselburgh; commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(11)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Poet Master

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Won a Group 2 in Ireland in July 2024; not added to that success since but he has run well in two of his three starts this time round, latterly finishing third of eight in a Group 3 at Epsom (7f, good to soft); drops in trip for his AW debut.

10/1

3rd

6

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Poet Master

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Group 2 winner at the Curragh (7f, good) in July 2024 and runner-up in two 7f Group races last autumn (very soft/good); not at his best on his two runs this season but each-way claims if back on song today.

9/1

5th

9

(3)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Poet Master

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

7f specialist, a Group 2 winner in July 2024; below best when finding Myal just too strong in conditions event at Thirsk (7f, good; 15-8 favourite) on return; may build on that but he's 4lb worse off with that rival here.

13/2

Form: 73734- CD

Last run: 140 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; productive handicapper who is 12-45 on turf; made the frame off this career-high mark a few times towards the end of his 2023 campaign; successful in this contest for the last two years and has to be feared.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

(2)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Gweedore

10st 2lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Katie Scott

Ended last season with a 7f win on soft ground but made a slow start to this campaign; not the percentage call.

50/1

16th

10

(16)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Gweedore

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

9yo who has won 13 times, the latest off today's mark at Musselburgh last November; however, he's failed to shine on his three outings this season.

33/1

Form: 57008- D

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Very much a spring horse and starts this campaign on a workable mark; however, overall record suggests he'll be more interesting with this reappearance outing under his belt; has a particularly good record in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

10

(7)

7th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Boardman

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

3-13 at Chester (the wins over 7.6f) but the last time he scored anywhere was in May 2023; has his lowest mark since 2020 and a shout on plenty of 2024 form, but seasonal debut may not be his best moment.

10/1

3rd

5

(5)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

17:40 Haydock

Boardman

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Dual course winner who went close over C&D last month but he's been disappointing since including a laboured effort back here last time; losing run is now up to 15 and others are more convincing.

16/1

Form: 40035- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well capable of being involved but is expensive to follow, having shown a very modest strike-rate for current yard; not the percentage call, unless the market speaks favourably on seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Darkness

9st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

He won two 7f handicaps last season and took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 12 at Haydock in April; however, well beaten at Newmarket since and others arrive with less to prove.

33/1

Form: 60421- D

Last run: 155 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Absent since narrow success at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) five months ago, taking record to 7-40; didn't have the run of things in this race last year (finished sixth) but has to overcome a career-high mark this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(10)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

Abduction

10st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple wins include three over C&D earlier in his career; has run well on occasions since a narrow Musselburgh win (7f, good) in April off this mark and a recent never-nearer third of eight there under Jake Dickson puts him in this picture; yard runs three.

5/1

3rd

2

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Abduction

9st 3lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

C&D win off this mark in April; mixed since but his latest third at Ayr (6f, soft) was a sound effort and today he has the assistance of an apprentice who is good value for his 7lb claim; high on the list.

5/1

3rd

8

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Abduction

9st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this year, the latest off this mark at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April; penultimate Hamilton seventh suggested he was still in good form; no surprise to see him in the thick of it.

12/1

Form: 69160- D

Last run: 169 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Landed the Thirsk Hunt Cup on reappearance two years ago but it took him a few runs to hit winning form during an inconsistent 2023 campaign; not sure what to expect from this veteran on 2024 seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:53 Carlisle

Redarna

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Dianne Sayer

Veteran who has been a prolific winner down the years, including at Carlisle; not solid on 2026 form but this drop back in grade may have positive effect; successful in last Class 5 attempt.

11/1

6th

10

(8)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Redarna

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dianne Sayer

18 visits to Ayr have yielded nine wins, the latest last September; the return to Ayr could be the catalyst for a big run but he's struggled at Musselburgh and Thirsk this year and a major turnaround is needed from this 12yo.

25/1

12th

15

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Redarna

8st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Dianne Sayer

Sprung a 66-1 surprise in this on good to firm in 2022 (also fourth in 2024); added career win number 17, as an 11yo, at Ayr (1m, good to soft) last September but arrives with something to prove after finishing tailed off behind a couple of these on his Musselburgh reappearance.

66/1

Form: 3-5564 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has done all his winning at 7f; ran respectably over 6f at Doncaster last Sunday returned to turf, following a spell on AW; possibilities back at his optimum distance, especially granted ideal ground (namely soft/heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(8)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

The oldest contender and a familiar face, having taken part in this race for the last four years (form figures read 6529); beat all bar Eldrickjones over C&D last month but the return to this better grade presents a tougher task.

16/1

2nd

10

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here.

10/1

2nd

10

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here.

10/1

Form: 215317 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Generally in decent form on AW since the autumn, winning twice; has the recent match practice that the majority of his rivals lack, and his most recent turf success (last August) came at Musselburgh; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(2)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Love De Vega

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Charlie Johnston

took keen hold, pressed leader early, in touch with leaders after 1f

14/1

6th

5

(6)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Goodwood

Love De Vega

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in second, lost position over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

10/1

8th

3

(1)

26th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:47 Ripon

Love De Vega

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Three wins in a busy campaign this year, the latest at Pontefract (1m, good) last month; another solid effort when second of 13 in a Racing League handicap at Windsor (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago and although up another 3lb, still makes the shortlist.

11/2

Betting Forcast

5/2 Poet Master, 5/1 Gweedore, 14/1 Boardman, 10/1 Darkness, 10/1 Abduction, 20/1 Redarna, 8/1 Zip, 7/1 Love De Vega

Non-runners

Northern Express

Verdict

This race features one to follow, namely POET MASTER (nap) who remains unbeaten over 7f and looks the type to improve further this season. Gweedore, who bids for a hat-trick of wins in this contest, is feared most ahead of Northern Express.[Steve Boow]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Poet Master

The Guardian:

Zip

POSTDATA:

Love De Vega

Daily Mirror:

Northern Express

The Sun:

Abduction

TOPSPEED:

Darkness

The Times:

Gweedore

RP RATINGS:

Poet Master

Telegraph:

Poet Master

Daily Mail:

Poet Master

D Express:

Poet Master

Daily Record:

Poet Master

The Star:

Zip