August 27 / 16.00 Musselburgh

16.00

Good

Portobello Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 2m 2f 28y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Portobello Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 362131

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish mare who's barely put a foot wrong this year for current yard; that includes wins at Pontefract (1m4f) and Carlisle (1m6f) on two of her last three outings, both on good (unraced on firmer); shaped as if she got 2m on Newcastle AW in between (6l third to Stand Strong) but the 1m6f win was clearly her best effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

18:22 Musselburgh

Paper Doll

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tristan Davidson

Steadily progressive for current yard and successful in last three turf attempts (1m4f-2m2f, good), beating Simple Star over C&D latest; may not have reached her ceiling yet; major player.

7/2

1st

3

(6)

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Paper Doll

9st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Ex-Irish mare who's barely put a foot wrong this year for current yard; that includes wins at Pontefract (1m4f) and Carlisle (1m6f) on two of her last three outings, both on good (unraced on firmer); shaped as if she got 2m on Newcastle AW in between (6l third to Stand Strong) but the 1m6f win was clearly her best effort.

9/2

1st

6

(7)

12th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

15:15 Carlisle

Paper Doll

9st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Ex-Irish mare who's barely put a foot wrong for her current yard; bumped into one at Ayr before a Pontefract win off 6lb lower and is shortlisted back on to turf, having found trouble on Tapeta latest.

7/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 8-0451 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
2m hurdles winner (made all) in July and his excellent 1m4f record here got better still with a clearcut win in five-runner race here on latest outing; narrow defeat in a slowly run edition of this race in 2023 may not be a reliable indicator of his stamina, though, as he's been a disappointing favourite here since when tried once each at 2m2f (this race 2024) and 2m.
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

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 9-8834

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
2023 was his heyday; no win since, closest finish when bang there under 7lb claimer in four-runner race at Newbury (2m, good to firm) penultimate start; however, shaped much better than 15l defeat suggests when 40-1 fourth at Goodwood (2m4f) on latest, challenging strongly over 2f out; each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Bashful Boy

11st 5lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

On a long losing sequence but returned to some form when back from a break and finishing a 12l third of five over C&D 12 days ago, ridden by Rian Corcoran; respected off 4lb lower.

9/1

3rd

5

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:51 Worcester

Bashful Boy

11st 8lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Without a win since 2023 and was out of form when last seen over hurdles in the autumn; this year's Flat form has been fairly respectable but he's on the downgrade and makes only limited appeal back in this sphere.

14/1

4th

4

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Bashful Boy

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023 but he's been in fair form on AW this spring including when fourth on Polytrack (2m) in his last two starts; should be in the mix again but he needs to find more to make a big impact; cheekpieces are removed and blinkers return.

9/2

Form: 042751

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
0-13 before he was upped to 2m at Newcastle (AW) last month and was produced in front late on for a clearcut win; back up 4lb but today's additional step up in distance now looks interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Stand Strong

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ewan Whillans

Only win came over C&D last August when rated 1lb lower; below form both runs this season but should do better having had wind surgery.

7/1

8th

14

(4)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Stand Strong

8st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Made fairly encouraging seasonal debut at Catterick (2m, good; behind Arctic Fox) last month but his only win from 18 starts came on Tapeta and others have more pressing claims; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces.

20/1

5th

6

(6)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Stand Strong

9st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

He lacks a recent outing and was inconsistent last year but reappears on a competitive mark and his trainer won this last year; ran well last May on his sole previous visit to Catterick and could have a part to play.

12/1

5/1

Form: 536714 CD BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
All three of his wins have been at Musselburgh, the first of them in this race last year; scored over 1m6f this May and 2m in July, which preceded a modest show behind Lunar Power and Elemental Eye over C&D on latest outing but that was in a sprint finish to a slowly run race; held up lately but made all for the 1m6f win; could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Trojan Sun

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won this in 2024 and posted his first win of this year at Carlisle (1m6f, good) in June; soundly beaten on his last two starts but this four-time course winner could bounce back returned to Musselburgh.

12/1

7th

18

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Trojan Sun

8st 2lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jim Goldie

Running away with a 2m2f race on heavy going under 7lb claimer at Nottingham last October was a clear career best at the time; virtually matched that form in three of his races in a mixed campaign this year and maybe an increased stamina test will help, but being 5lb out of the handicap won't.

50/1

10th

4

(2)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

18:05 York

Trojan Sun

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Carlisle (1m6f, good) last month and bounced back from lesser run there (1m3f, good to firm) when third over this C&D a fortnight ago (stablemate Furhaan second); might not be far away.

10/1

Form: 632213

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Finally opened his account (21st attempt) in a 2m Redcar handicap last month and his very solid sequence this summer continued when third (split Lunar Power and Trojan Sun) in the sprint finish to a C&D race 26 days ago; shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(5)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

2m 0f 32y

Class 5

17:05 Beverley

Elemental Eye

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

A clearcut winner at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW; first-time blinkers) and nearly followed up at Ayr, over 1m5f on good; stays this far and handles slow ground, so has to be considered.

7/2

2nd

1

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Elemental Eye

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Seemed to benefit from combination of drop back in trip and change of headgear when clearcut winner at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW; first-time blinkers) nine days ago; 6lb higher here and too inconsistent to rely upon heavily but the return to turf won't be a problem.

4/1

1st

12

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Elemental Eye

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

0-5 on AW and he was never a threat over C&D in March; remote third over 2m at Musselburgh (good) three weeks ago and he now drops back in trip with added blinkers.

12/1

Form: -74422

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
No win since a hurdle race in May 2023 but narrowly denied at Thirsk (2m) and Musselburgh (2m2f) on last two outings after setting the pace; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Lunar Power

9st 13lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Laura Mongan

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023, stays a deal further and is on the downgrade now; patchy for his new yard this year and others make greater appeal back from seven weeks off.

12/1

7th

1

(10)

18th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 68y

Class 6

14:50 Lingfield

Lunar Power

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Laura Mongan

Won his share in Ireland but has been on the downgrade for a while and has had three different trainers in the past nine months; however, he showed enough on the AW here last time to suggest he has each-way claims back up in trip and down another 2lb.

12/1

6th

2

(4)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Lingfield (AW)

Lunar Power

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Laura Mongan

Losing run stretches back to May 2023 (hurdles); ended 2025 with some modest efforts for James Owen and fared little better when fifth of seven on his stable debut 11 weeks ago (2m, Polytrack); enough to prove.

16/1

Form: 443-78

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Sole win (18 races) was a maiden in 2023; last year's Flat campaign ended with a respectable third over 2m but he's opposable on subsequent evidence, despite his fall in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:25 Perth

Clan Chieftain

10st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Jackie Stephen

Flat winner who is 0-8 over hurdles but hasn't been running badly; more new headgear tried but can go well.

14/1

9

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:15 Sedgefield

Clan Chieftain

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Jackie Stephen

Yet to score in this sphere but he arrives in good form, fourth of nine in 2m Perth handicap 13 days ago; he can make his presence felt again with blinkers added.

9/2

4th

4

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

15:08 Perth

Clan Chieftain

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Jackie Stephen

Fairly useful at his best on the Flat; 0-6 over hurdles but was third off today's mark over C&D (good) in July and also ran well when filling same position at Kelso (2m2f, good) last week; one to consider.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.60
Straight Forecast £28.67
Tricast £76.63
Trifecta £108.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Trojan Sun

The Times:

Simple Star

Telegraph:

Elemental Eye

WEST COUNTRY:

Bashful Boy

The Star:

Stand Strong

RP RATINGS:

Trojan Sun

TOPSPEED:

Trojan Sun

POSTDATA:

Trojan Sun

Daily Mail:

Trojan Sun

Daily Mirror:

Elemental Eye

The Guardian:

Simple Star

D Express:

Simple Star

Daily Record:

Simple Star

The Sun:

Bashful Boy