August 28 / 16.05 Musselburgh

16.05

Good

Portobello Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 2m 2f 28y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Portobello Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 48-156

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in March and back on the Flat (Hamilton 1m5f) in May; backward steps on last two starts, trying cheekpieces (kept here) when 50-1 over 2m at Ascot on latest; just 1lb above that Hamilton mark but it's hard to rely on him being back at that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Handled testing conditions best, bounding clear to make it 2-3 over C&D (soft; a 23l winner) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted, and he's now 9lb higher moving up into a Class 4; still enters calculations though, with 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retaining the ride.

7/4

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 475543 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Five wins last term, the last over C&D in September and she has a 7lb lower mark today; that's having gone the wrong way this year after a creditable reappearance, but she needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 56y

Class 3

16:30 York

Yorkindness

8st 7lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a soft-ground maiden but best efforts when it's not so deep; 0-10 this season, nearly winning at Musselburgh in August but beaten over 20l on last two outings; down the weights but it's hard to have confidence in her.

20/1

3

(8)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 2y

Class 5

15:37 Pontefract

Yorkindness

10st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Has won on soft, best form on faster ground; 0-9 this season but nearly won at Musselburgh in August; stiff task last time; three-time Pontefract scorer and looks interesting off a workable mark back here.

7/1

9th

12

(6)

21st Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Yorkindness

8st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Charlie Johnston

in touch with leaders

16/1

Form: -25003 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Has done well over 1m4f here; also scored over hurdles in July and went close in a five-runner race back over 1m4f here on latest outing; his only attempt beyond 1m5f on Flat was in this race last year when beaten a neck in five-runner race, a slowly run affair but he's not entirely ruled out.
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

Form: 364631

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has popped up in front just once in each of the last two seasons, including at Beverley latest start; back up 3lb but had better form last year and it would not surprise to see him on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(13)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Pons Aelius

9st 9lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner at up to 2m in Britain but yet to hit any sort of form for current yard; career-low mark and tongue-tie tried so don't rule out.

12/1

11th

7

(16)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Pons Aelius

9st 11lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: H D McGuigan

Donegal yard likes to pick up horses with back-form, often from Britain, and try to rejuvenate them; six-time winner at up to 2m but hasn't been finishing out his races in Ireland and been off a while.

18/1

8th

9

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pons Aelius

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner for Charlie Johnston and best form over this trip; poor on first two runs for this yard at big prices; better than bare result when beaten over 5l at Gowran last May; yard's first runner of the year won on Tuesday; no surprise were he to go well after a break with leading claimer aboard.

20/1

Form: 261200

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won at Ayr (1m7f) in May and front-running second in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June; finished last, however, at York and Newcastle on last two outings; blinkered once and a visor now replaces his usual cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(9)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

15:22 Musselburgh

Show No Fear

10st 2lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Gained most recent success off just 1lb lower in June (over 2m at Catterick); however, subsequent form (Flat/hurdles) is unconvincing.

12/1

2

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Show No Fear

11st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Four-time Flat winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Carlisle (2m3f, good) in April; only 2lb higher today and could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip but disappointed on last two outings (hurdles/Flat) and arrives here with a point to prove.

14/1

4

(4)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Show No Fear

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Front-runner who has made all in all four of his victories on the Flat, including two over C&D; modest over hurdles 12 days ago but respected back here, especially as he may again enjoy the run of the race; new headgear combination.

11/2

Form: 3-3661 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Co-favourite and back to form when winning a six-runner race here (1m6f, good) in clearcut style 19 days ago, leading 5f out; back up 3lb but ran well over 2m1f in June and can be in the shake-up if he holds his form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

16:38 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Went close off 8lb higher in this race (good) last year but he's generally struggled since (Flat and hurdles) and was a remote fourth of five here last time; that took his losing run to 12 and others are preferred.

15/2

4

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:25 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

8st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 1m6f here last August off 3lb higher but below form since; showed a bit more when third of five over C&D (good) 19 days ago, however, and a further 2lb drop in the weights gives him a fighting chance.

5/2

2

(3)

26th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:50 Musselburgh

Rory The Cat

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Now 1lb lower than his win here over 1m6f (good) last August but he's been well beaten in three starts this summer, on this track and at Ayr; bit to prove.

10/1

Form: 217524

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
2-10 on AW; 0-12 on turf but went very close when returning to form over C&D (good) last month; ran respectably at Catterick (good to firm) two weeks later; upped from Class 6, may need a career best to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

13:42 Hexham

Zephlyn

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ewan Whillans

Below par on the AW this year and again failed to fire when last of five on the Flat at Carlisle (2m, good to firm) two weeks ago; however, his earlier fourth on handicap hurdle debut at Perth (2m4f, good) was more encouraging and gives him a chance of making the frame now down in trip.

10/1

5th

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Zephlyn

9st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

In good form on the Flat this time last year, following up 2m win at Newcastle by winning twice over this C&D in May (good/good to firm); not been in top form on AW this year, but better run over hurdles last time; 5lb lower than last Flat win and is one with a chance.

9/2

20/1

Form: 477258

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; ran his best race when staying on into second of seven late in the day on handicap debut over C&D (ridden by Amie Waugh) in early July; flopped back here next time but 4l eighth at Carlisle in first-time cheekpieces gave a little renewed hope; 2lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:20 York

Trojan Sun

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Probably best known for Musselburgh exploits but last two wins were at Nottingham last October and Carlisle last month; below form on sole start here (last October) but probably best forgiven being well beaten 17 days ago as that was just 1m3f; chief concern is that he needs another career best.

20/1

6th

6

(2)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

17:05 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Made it win number six when scoring here (1m6f, good; has won at up to 2m2f) last Monday; 5lb penalty makes life tough and he's never won at shorter than 1m6f; evidently in good heart, though.

11/1

1st

10

(3)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won four times last season (1m6f-2m2f) and looked as good as ever when clear third in quite valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m, good) in April but didn't fire at Hamilton last month and has now disappointed on four of his last five appearances.

9/1

Non-runners

Tailorman

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rory The Cat

The Times:

Simple Star

TOPSPEED:

Trojan Sun

The Guardian:

Pons Aelius

RP RATINGS:

Two Auld Pals

POSTDATA:

Yorkindness

D Express:

Trojan Sun

Telegraph:

Rory The Cat

Daily Mirror:

Rory The Cat

The Sun:

Rory The Cat

Daily Record:

Pons Aelius

Daily Mail:

Simple Star

The Star:

Simple Star