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

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

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

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

4th

4

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Bashful Boy

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023; expensive to follow in recent times but he arrives in form and this is a touch easier again off a career-low mark; can't be left out of calculations.

4/1

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

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

4

(8)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Stand Strong

9st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ewan Whillans

Solid over C&D of late, running out a convincing winner to make his breakthrough at the start of August before a narrow second a fortnight ago; same mark here and he's a leading contender.

100/30

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

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

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

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

3rd

5

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

13:50 Musselburgh

Elemental Eye

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Two wins last season, the latter gained by 10l here (1m6f, soft; also suited by much quicker ground) in October; not in same form on either outing since returned to the Flat in March (1m4f/2m; cheekpieces refitted last time) but still considered.

9/2

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