April 13 / 17.15 Musselburgh

17.15

Good

Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 1m 4f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
ITV4
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Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

Form: 7369-1

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Maiden in Ireland; edged ahead close home at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month on debut for new connections; could well build on that win and show further progress in Britain; again ridden by Hector Crouch, who has a very good strike-rate for James Owen; sole runner on the card for this trainer, who is 2-2 with Musselburgh runners; strongly respected up just 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Placed twice on soft last year; beat only one home in a top 1m2f handicap here in July but in career-best form over 1m4f (good to firm) either side of that when winning at Newmarket and second in Shergar Cup race at Ascot; needs some respect.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Sportingsilvermine

9st 8lb

J: Yutaka Take

T: James Owen

His 1m4f win on good to firm at Newmarket in July reads well but has finished behind Castle Stuart in their recent clashes and beat only one home in the John Smith's Cup four weeks ago; probably vulnerable off this mark.

14/1

21th

15

(12)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Sportingsilvermine

8st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Owen

Easy win at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) in May before solid third of 16 over this C&D (good), and he improved again to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last Saturday; today's assignment is tougher still but this thriving 5yo could be in the each-way mix under a 5lb penalty.

25/1

Form: -83112 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Hurdles winner who has done the majority of his Flat racing on AW; ran well at Wolverhampton most recently, nearly completing a hat-trick; bit to prove back on turf but can't be dismissed in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 9lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Sam England

Three-time winner (including over C&D) last spring; failed to beat a rival on his last three outings and has lots to prove after a layoff.

8/1

8th

2

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

7-47 on AW but has struggled for form since finishing third at Newcastle (1m, Class 5; from 12lb higher) last November; failed to beat a rival in each of his last two starts (9.4f/1m4f) so it's difficult to have confidence.

25/1

Form: 33114-

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-8 switched to handicaps last term; ran creditably behind Tafsir in a Scottish event on final start when bidding for a hat-trick; looks the type who could improve further this year; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

17

(10)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Papagei

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Thomas Gibney

Twice a winner in Britain for James Ferguson at 1m4f; kept to hurdling so far by current trainer, just okay form; first try at this extended trip, okay mark.

14/1

5th

4

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

16:00 Sligo

Papagei

11st 8lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Thomas Gibney

Three-time British Flat winner for James Ferguson; no wins since 2024; enters handicap hurdle company for the first time now following moderate efforts in four maidens; best watched.

15/1

16/1

Form: 0038-0 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Gained last success over hurdles and has become inconsistent on the Flat; close second in this contest last year but isn't certain to repeat that effort; registered both C&D wins (in 2023) in lower grades.
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

25/1

Form: 4448-3 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Veteran who scored at Musselburgh in 2021 but has done the rest of his winning at Ayr; finished third in small-field Class 5 here on seasonal debut; stiffer task from 4lb out of weights in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(8)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who led close home over 1m5f here (good to firm) last month, his 13th success; also suited by this shorter trip, but was effectively 3lb below that last winning mark when only fourth over C&D a week later and his new mark has taken effect; younger rivals look better treated.

12/1

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

14/1

Form: 643

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who is one of four runners for Jim Goldie; runner-up over hurdles in Ireland; has a jumps pedigree but his AW efforts for new yard have not been devoid of promise; may progress now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(11)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Cascade Hall

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Easily made all here (2m, good) in June and he's run well in third on his last two starts, most recently behind Inappropriate here (2m, good); could give it a good go from the front but this is warmer than he's used to.

14/1

3rd

7

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

20:25 Musselburgh

Cascade Hall

8st 12lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this summer, including C&D, and he wasn't beaten far at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) 18 days ago; stable may have stronger claims with Gallus Norman.

3/1

14/1

Form: 138684

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner at 1m-1m2f on AW, most recently in January (inconsistent since); has the ability to get involved but brings negatives, as he's 0-12 on turf and has stamina to prove over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Etretat

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Andrew Hamilton

Left Charlie Johnston for 1,000gns; 150-1 on hurdle debut at Perth and performed accordingly.

50/1

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Etretat

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Hamilton

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner for Charlie Johnston but 0-17 on turf for that yard; ran poorly at Lingfield (AW) 16 days ago and changed hands for 1,000gns since; best watched on hurdles debut.

33/1

10th

5

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Etretat

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Four AW wins, including C&D, and returns from a six-month break on a manageable mark; more good runs than bad at this track and he's not discounted.

9/1

12/1

Form: /1467- D BF

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who is making seasonal debut; regressed in handicaps last year after winning a maiden on reappearance but this may be the time to catch him; had wind surgery over the winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

15:22 Musselburgh

Tokyo Bay

10st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f scorer for previous yard; faded late over 1m6f last time for new stable but was returning from a break; check the market signals with that outing under his belt.

10/1

6th

4

(11)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Haydock

Tokyo Bay

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f heavy-ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and cheekpieces (discarded) failed to reignite the spark at Hamilton in June, after which he left Karl Burke; market support would aid his cause on this stable debut.

14/1

7th

4

(2)

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

15:12 Hamilton

Tokyo Bay

9st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

1m4f heavy ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and, although cheekpieces are added, he'll have to raise his game if he's to bag a first handicap.

10/1

9/1

Form: 15352- CD

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly in lower grades; absent since finishing second over C&D five months ago; behind two of these rivals in Class 4 the time before; back on career-high mark and not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(11)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:50 Hamilton

Spanish Hustle

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Six-time course winner who is lurking on a lowly mark; 2026 campaign yet to gather any momentum but Paul Mulrennan back on board and better could be forthcoming.

16/1

5th

4

(2)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Spanish Hustle

10st 10lb

J: Miss Kayleigh Williams

T: Jim Goldie

9lb lower than for his Hamilton win last summer; struggling for form so far this season, however, and others bring more pressing claims.

16/1

5th

8

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Spanish Hustle

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Jim Goldie

Six of his eight wins have come over 1m3f/1m4f here and is 6lb lower than for the most recent, but yet to click since returning in May; dual-handed stable won this in 2022 and 2023.

16/1

Form: 1157-4 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Couple of Class 6 wins at Beverley last May for previous yard; record of 0-6 (Flat/hurdles) for new stable, only fourth of five in Class 5 here most recently; difficult assignment upped further in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Spartan Warrior

11st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won twice on the Flat (1m2f-1m4f) for Ollie Sangster and once over hurdles (2m2f, Kelso) for Rebecca Menzies; beaten 22l and 76l in two starts for new trainer; easing mark isn't enough to recommend.

50/1

10th

11

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Spartan Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won at Kelso last May (2m2f, good) when with Rebecca Menzies; well beaten on stable debut last time and perhaps best watched for now.

50/1

5

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Spartan Warrior

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Menzies

1-8 over hurdles, the win gained off 1lb lower mark at Kelso (2m2f, good) in May; disappointed on both recent Flat starts, though, and arrives here with a point to prove.

8/1

Form: 5215-7 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Returns to a more suitable trip with 1m2f reappearance under his belt; however, he has done most of his winning in lower grades and can be opposed off current mark in this competitive Class 4 event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9/2

Form: 11321-

Last run: 238 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Absent since prevailing narrowly at Pontefract eight months ago when becoming the first horse to land the £100,000 bonus for winning three Sky Bet Sunday Series races (gained those wins over 1m3f, 1m6f and 2m1f); not crying out for this big drop back in distance but otherwise has strong claims, being a progressive sort who is 3-6 since handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

18:15 Pontefract

Letsbefrank

9st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Ridden this season by Lauren Young; won at Musselburgh (1m4f) and Hamilton (1m3f) on first two starts, with a good third at Thirsk (1m4f) next time, all on good ground; shaped as if still in form in a steadily run race on latest outing; this good season (better than 2025) has been over much shorter but he did win this race on good to firm in 2024; not dismissed.

7/2

6th

10

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Letsbefrank

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

He's reappeared in rude health this year with wins under Lauren Young at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) and Hamilton (1m3f, good) before good third at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last time; he'll be fine at this longer trip, and also if slow ground prevails; could be bang there.

8/1

OUR TIP
13th
3 (9)
Tafsir

9/1

Form: 51517- CD

Last run: 190 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Record of 8-29 on turf, all wins in Scotland, including five last season; has form figures of 1121 in last four attempts at Musselburgh; possibilities, even though she remains on career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Tafsir

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

First visit here; excels at Hamilton, where she was short-headed last month (1m4f, soft), and she was always behind at Ayr on Thursday on a very rare crack at 1m2f (heavy); attempts at this trip have also been scarce but there have been hints that it's a distance at which she could have untapped potential.

16/1

2

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Tafsir

10st 2lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Course winner who was beaten by a short head at Hamilton (1m4f, soft) last time; she excels at Hamilton and has never won over a trip this short, but her surplus stamina may be no bad thing given the testing conditions.

11/2

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

15:33 Hamilton

Tafsir

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Lost a lot of ground at the start at Ayr last Thursday so there's a risk attached on the back of that; however, in the circumstances she did well to finish third of six (beaten just over 9l) and three of her last four wins have come here (on various ground) including this race last year; capable.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £35.56
Tricast £103.38

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sportingsilvermine

The Sun:

Cascade Hall

TOPSPEED:

Spartan Warrior

Telegraph:

Papagei

The Times:

Letsbefrank

Daily Mirror:

Tokyo Bay

RP RATINGS:

Simple Star

POSTDATA:

Sportingsilvermine

D Express:

Sportingsilvermine

The Star:

Sportingsilvermine

Daily Record:

Sportingsilvermine