April 19 / 17.17 Musselburgh

17.17

Good

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £11567.14
  • 0m 5f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 818-53 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Notoriously tricky to win with but there's no doubting his ability and he won the big sprint on this card back in 2022; close third over C&D on Sunday having found plenty of trouble; shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(15)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Three-time C&D winner, including twice off higher marks in the month of April; unlucky third, having found daylight too late, in this race 12 months ago; soft ground was against him here last weekend; likely player if the cards drop right.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Below best on latest course start in October but has a strong C&D record otherwise, three wins include this race (good to soft) last year; now 2lb lower and primed for a good run if he avoids trouble in running.

9/2

7th

10

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Zarzyni

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he did score twice in 2025, the latter win over C&D; 3lb higher in a better race this time and he'll need to be somewhere near last year's best to take this after four months off.

14/1

OUR TIP

14/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 11394- D

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Three 5f wins last year, one on Tapeta and the other two on testing ground at Hamilton; could prove vulnerable on a sounder surface back from six months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

Moonstone Boy

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jennie Candlish

Four wins over 5f for Iain Jardine, but unplaced in three starts on the AW since returning for this yard in January; 8lb below last winning mark, but drying ground and return to 6f pose questions; cheekpieces return.

12/1

7th

2

(12)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Moonstone Boy

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jennie Candlish

A fair 5f scorer for Iain Jardine; shaped encouragingly for his new yard when fourth at Southwell (5f) in January but raced too freely over 6f when seventh at Wolverhampton since; can bounce back here.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 210-79 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won five times last year, including C&D, and although she has been unplaced in both runs this time around she was unable to show what she could do here on Sunday having run into several dead ends; capable if the gaps appear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Eternal Sunshine

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Without a win since last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster (good) off this very mark; races prominently and rallied for second here last time; clear claims, for all that she's one of a few who might want to be up there early.

7/2

2nd

11

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Eternal Sunshine

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster (good) off a 2lb higher mark; looked on the way back when runner-up back at Doncaster early last month but two lesser runs have followed.

16/1

16th

16

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Eternal Sunshine

8st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won last season's Portland handicap at Doncaster off a 1lb higher mark; she made a slow start to 2026 but there have been encouraging signs more recently, fourth at Ayr (6f, soft) and then second at Doncaster (5f, good to firm); form dipped here (5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; could bounce back.

14/1

Form: -64377 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who won twice on turf last September; in and out on AW this winter but he's slipped down the weights and the return of cheekpieces can help back on turf; should go well in a race in which the majority like to come from off the pace.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Acts on good to firm and soft; nine-time winner who scored by 4l at Catterick two weeks ago but was disappointing under a penalty there last Wednesday; up another 4lb, but he was as good as ever on his penultimate run and is a player if he can recapture that form.

5/1

5th

9

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Failed to beat a rival home at Thirsk (5f, good) but he's won over this C&D either side of that, including when coming 4l clear nine days ago; looks well treated under a 4lb penalty but this is a step up in class.

4/1

1st

3

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tristan Davidson

Wins his share and he got off the mark for the year over C&D last month; well held at Thirsk three days ago but in a Class 4; this should be more suitable.

6/1

Form: 337-82 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Picked off late by Only Spoofing over C&D on Sunday; 4lb better off for a short head today but he's not so well drawn this time; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Knicks

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael & David Easterby

8lb lower than when beaten a head in a division of this last year; missed the kick here two weeks ago but nothing finished better and he looks ready to win again.

6/1

2nd

13

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Knicks

9st 1lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went close in a C&D handicap last July when rated 8lb higher; he has run some fair races in defeat this summer and shouldn't be too far away.

5/1

4th

5

(5)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:30 Pontefract

Knicks

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Latest effort suggests he remains in form; still on a long losing sequence but looked an unlucky third, having been forced to switch, over C&D on penultimate start; possibilities off same mark.

5/1

14/1

Form: 292864 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Another in the field who needs things to fall just right but he made a pleasing return to turf over C&D on Sunday, meeting a bit of traffic when initially launching his challenge and also caught towards the middle of the track; capable off this mark if the gaps appear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Water Of Leith

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Should be making a big impact off this mark and although he has been a shade underwhelming on turf this summer he has too much ability to leave out of calculations at this level.

6/1

5th

3

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Water Of Leith

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Jim Goldie

12-time winner, three of them here (5f/6f); not beaten far on last two starts and is on a fair mark so could go well.

7/1

6/1

Form: 63147- CD

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
C&D win on his 2yo debut; ended losing run when scrambling home at Chester last August (blinkered first time); has the rail draw and can go well fresh, so not discounted with Oisin Murphy a positive booking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Made all and prevailed narrowly over C&D last time, opening his AW account at the 14th attempt; back up 3lb but has defied higher marks on turf; likely to remain competitive.

7/2

1st

6

(1)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

3-37 with two of his wins coming at Chester; one of his better efforts since joining this yard when beaten just over 2l into fourth of ten over C&D a fortnight ago; worth considering from 7lb below his last winning mark.

11/2

4th

9

(9)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Step back in right direction when close fourth over 5f here but then trailed home last at Epsom; 3-36 overall and probably not the percentage call.

14/1

16/1

Form: 4200-8 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Veteran who hasn't won as often as he should for one of his undoubted ability; on a reduced mark now and last Sunday's run, his first for 173 days, should have freshened him up; others look stronger for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

6th

11

(1)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Thirsk

Arecibo

8st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who was a smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in three runs this season; dropped another 3lb but he has lots to prove on this first run at 7f; visor removed.

25/1

Form: 50-931 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Well into the veteran stage but he retains lots of enthusiasm and he enhanced his fine C&D record when beating six of today's rivals to win last Sunday; picked up impressively once seeing daylight and can confirm his superiority despite the revised weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(10)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:42 Cork

Only Spoofing

9st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Hardy veteran has won fourteen races on turf, all on good and good to firm ground, but handles an ease; is 15lb lower than when winning at Musselburgh last year and didn't run badly at Bellewstown (5f, soft) on latest; could go well.

10/1

6th

5

(13)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

17:55 Bellewstown

Only Spoofing

9st 9lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Likeable veteran won for the fourteenth time at Musselburgh (5f, good) last April and is 13lb lower now; showed some spark when a 2l fourth at Dundalk on penultimate and was third over this C&D (soft) off 5lb higher in October; can't discount.

14/1

8th

7

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:37 Dundalk (AW)

Only Spoofing

8st 13lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Attractive handicap mark, but veteran's 14 wins have come on turf; 0-11 on AW but his 2l fourth over 6f here last time is a reason for hope, as is the drop back to 5f now.

6/1

Form: 1414-8 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
C&D win off 3lb lower last summer; shaped as though the run was needed when last of eight here 17 days ago; better than that and could leave it well behind; stable also runs Zarzyni.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(11)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:23 Ripon

Profitable Edge

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner who ran her best race of the year so far when fourth of eight back here (good) three weeks ago; another 3lb drop since then puts her 7lb below her last winning mark; respected.

8/1

4th

1

(3)

4th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Ripon

Profitable Edge

9st 10lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: David & Nicola Barron

Effective on fast and soft ground; well handicapped on her two 5f wins last summer but she's been out of sorts in four runs this season; has won here in the past but she needs to turn things around back at this track.

10/1

2

(3)

4th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Doncaster

Profitable Edge

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

Won twice last summer and is 1lb lower than for the latest, but she is yet to get going in three starts this season (underwent wind surgery before latest outing); needs a resurgence.

14/1

11th
12 (1)
Classy Al

33/1

Form: 9705-0 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on Sunday's seasonal return and, as on that occasion, she's not fared well with the draw; stable has stronger claims elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

15:25 Hamilton

Classy Al

8st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Quirky customer with two C&D wins on his record and now 6lb lower than for last July's success; running himself into form this year but his stable look to hold stronger claims elsewhere.

12/1

4th

6

(6)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 4

16:05 Hamilton

Classy Al

8st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Does plenty wrong during his races but it hasn't stopped him from winning seven times, two of them over C&D; running himself back into form this year but others appeal more.

12/1

4th

3

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Classy Al

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

No stranger to the Ayr winners' enclosure, winning five at this track (5f-7f), including this race two years ago; has struggled for form in two 5f spins at Musselburgh this year, which makes him hard to fancy; on the plus side, the handicapper is beginning to give him a chance.

10/1

12th
11 (2)
Zaphea

20/1

Form: 98501- CD

Last run: 164 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won four 5f handicaps last year, two of them over C&D; 2lb rise for her last-gasp win here in November pushes her into a higher grade; not ideally drawn and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Zaphea

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Got involved too soon in the strongly run C&D race won by Ski Angel last time; inconsistent this term but is attractively treated (last two wins off 16lb higher).

10/1

6th

4

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:13 Musselburgh

Zaphea

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Effective on fast ground but all five wins have been on good or slower including three over C&D; 0-10 this season but he travelled well for a long way when third off this reduced mark at Hamilton ten days ago; usually races prominently and he could make another bold bid back at this track.

3/1

3rd

7

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Zaphea

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Productive 2024 campaign featured two wins over C&D; far from solid on 2025 form and is perhaps best watched unless the market speaks positively.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.70
Straight Forecast £46.97
Tricast £471.36
Trifecta £940.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Knicks

POSTDATA:

Only Spoofing

RP RATINGS:

Zarzyni

The Star:

Eternal Sunshine

The Times:

Balon d'Or

The Guardian:

Moonstone Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Absent Friends

TOPSPEED:

Arecibo

Daily Mirror:

Knicks

Daily Record:

Knicks

Daily Mail:

Zarzyni

D Express:

Only Spoofing

The Sun:

Only Spoofing