April 19 / 15.00 Musselburgh

15.00

Good

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 5f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 22310- CD BF

Last run: 210 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
One of the success stories of the 2024 season, winning three handicaps, including over C&D and the valuable Portland at the Doncaster St Leger meeting; 11-4 favourite for the Ayr Gold Cup when last seen but raced freely and didn't get home; remains capable of better over 5f, won first time out last year and is just 2lb higher than for the Doncaster win; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

American Affair

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Highly progressive in 2025, winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm); also won on good to soft last year; it was his first run since when down the field at York recently and he may have needed it, but a dramatic transformation is required just ten days on.

9/1

10th

3

(12)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

American Affair

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Has built up a good strike rate over 5f/5.5f and registered a neck success at Royal Ascot (good to firm) upped to Group 1 level when last seen; landed a handicap at this meeting 12 months ago; very progressive and has possibilities provided he's as effective back at 6f.

9/1

1

(16)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

American Affair

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Made outstanding progress in 5f handicaps and the way he raced to the front at York (good to firm) in May showed that a switch to Group company wouldn't be at all fanciful; unable to show what he was made of behind Mgheera in a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good) since, as a gap shut as he was about to go through it, and he remains one to keep on the right side.

14/1

15/2

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 45135- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Promising return to action over C&D last April and showed what he was capable of when beating his 21 rivals at York's Ebor meeting (5.5f, good to firm); close third behind American Affair in the Portland and ran okay at Ascot when last seen; could progress further this year but he'll need to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(9)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Jm Jungle

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

6yo who rose through the ranks last season and won the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood (5f, good to soft) in August; reappeared with respectable fourth of 14 to Night Raider in the Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago and he could show the benefit of that outing today.

9/1

4th

4

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Jm Jungle

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Below best from a high draw in the Group 1 Abbaye on final 2025 start; thoroughly reliable previously and he richly deserved his Group 2 win at Goodwood (5f, good to soft; effective on good to firm) last August; versatile track-wise but has never run at Newmarket so there is a query to answer.

9/1

6th

1

(13)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Jm Jungle

10st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Thoroughly honest 5yo who has risen to new heights over 5f this year with his win in the Dash at Epsom (good; acts on good to firm) topped by a Group 2 win at Goodwood last time out, albeit with the race going like clockwork for him; has more to do in this company, including with Washington Heights on Listed form over C&D in July, but he won't fail for the want of trying.

11/1

Form: 02402- CD

Last run: 175 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won from American Affair at Haydock last summer (5f, good) and ended 2024 by chasing home Cover Up at Doncaster (5f, soft); weighted to beat both of those rivals today and connections won this race in 2022; capable of another prominent showing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(11)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

Without a win since August 2024 but well treated on last year's best efforts and he shaped when seventh of 14 over C&D three weeks ago as though he'd be sharper for that comeback run; seems to like it here; on the shortlist.

7/1

7th

12

(9)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

8st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David & Nicola Barron

A losing sequence is mounting but he has a win and a third from just two attempts over C&D, and the latter was first time out last season; 7lb lower here and he's of obvious interest if cherry ripe after 161 days off (has had wind surgery); one of two very plausible candidates for the Barrons.

11/2

11

(5)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Jer Batt

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David & Nicola Barron

Close second in this race 12 months ago (Oisin Murphy on board) when rated 4lb higher; knocking at the door this season and the addition of cheekpieces could give him a lift; shortlisted.

11/2

Form: 9-4781 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Quiet winter on AW but, having dropped 10lb in the weights, he rewarded market support with a ready C&D win 17 days ago; this time he has 5lb rise, stronger opposition and other pace to contend with but still likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(16)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Mon Na Slieve

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent front-runner but was close up behind Vantheman at Hamilton and this flatter track could suit better; respected.

12/1

5th

9

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Mon Na Slieve

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent front-runner who's given a third try in a tongue-tie following a below-par effort back on turf last time (made much of the running from the rail draw at Musselburgh); on a competitive mark if he's on a going day though.

10/1

6th

5

(13)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Mon Na Slieve

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent last year but won twice (5f, good), including over C&D, and he returned to form with a near-miss at Newcastle (5f, AW) last month; major player if he's once more on a going day.

7/1

Form: 11-304 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Made his name for the Gosdens on AW but he's fine on turf too and ran well in all three turf starts at Meydan for his new stable (flopped on dirt in February); 5lb higher than when winning at Doncaster last October but conditions should suit and he's a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 34y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Cover Up

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Ran his best race for this yard when picking up well to win a 5f Class 2 handicap at Ascot (good; has won on soft) in decisive fashion eight weeks ago; looked every inch a Pattern-race performer there but this is a strong race of its type and he'll need another personal best.

10/1

1st

3

(14)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:15 Ascot

Cover Up

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Has won on soft and good to firm; pulled hard and just minor late progress in the Wokingham here (first-time tongue-tie, retained) in June but he hadn't been far behind Aramram at Newbury (also 6f, good to firm) previously and a stiff test at 5f could prove ideal; can be involved.

7/1

11/1

Form: 0810-3 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won three handicaps in 2024, all on soft or heavy; fully effective on a sounder surface and should be sharper with a recent return to action behind him; could be in for another good year but eligible for weaker races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

(17)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Vince LAmour

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Tim Easterby

Recent Ripon winner but poor on either side of that and he has become hard to predict.

25/1

13th

8

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Vince LAmour

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Wins have all come over easy tracks in the spring/autumn on good or softer ground; won well at Ripon last weekend but was always well positioned from the rail draw and a 6lb rise looks plenty as he goes back up in class.

10/1

1st

2

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Vince LAmour

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Returned to form with a second at Musselburgh (5f, good to soft) last month but he failed to back that up over C&D (last of eight) two weeks ago; has something to prove again after that and he's still 3lb higher than for his last win.

11/2

Form: 1210-0 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race in 2023; came good last autumn on slow ground, winning 5f handicaps at Chester and Catterick; well behind Cover Up on final run in 2024 and he'll need to leave his recent AW reappearance behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

7th

8

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Close third off 6lb higher (from stall 5) in this contest two years ago and 2-4 at Chester overall; however, has a big doubt over current form, reflected in two duck eggs this season; wide draw adds uncertainty.

25/1

12th

7

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Vintage Clarets

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ten-time winner whose mark is now 3lb lower than for his latest success; probably needed the run when well held at Southwell two weeks ago, but didn't show much and may require another before hitting his stride.

14/1

Non-runners

Tatterstall, Twilight Fun

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.50
Straight Forecast £29.74
Tricast £94.29
Trifecta £87.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cover Up

RP RATINGS:

American Affair

TOPSPEED:

Mon Na Slieve

Telegraph:

Jer Batt

Daily Mirror:

Tatterstall

POSTDATA:

Cover Up

NEWMARKET:

Cover Up

Daily Mail:

Cover Up

The Sun:

Cover Up

The Times:

Mon Na Slieve

D Express:

Mon Na Slieve

THE NORTH:

American Affair

The Guardian:

American Affair

The Star:

American Affair

Daily Record:

American Affair