September 13 / 18.22 Musselburgh

18.22

Good

Scots Association Musselburgh Gold Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 2m 2f 28y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Scots Association Musselburgh Gold Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 428576

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in higher grade at the York Ebor festival (2m) last time and remains favourably treated, having gained sole Flat handicap win off this mark; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for current yard over fences at Southwell (2m4f) in November but only eighth back hurdling in 2m7f handicap here 17 days ago; visor and tongue-tie are retried now.

50/1

8th

8

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase last November but pulled up in his final chase and has finished last in two subsequent Flat starts; capable hurdler but hardly returns to this discipline at the top of his game.

25/1

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

Form: 110-40

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Absent since heavy defeat in major 1m4f handicap at Haydock ten weeks ago; generally consistent otherwise and may rebound, provided he sees out this new trip; stays a testing 1m6f well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(10)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Minstrel Knight

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Ran creditably for minor honours in two (1m5f/2m2f) of his four starts in last year's Flat campaign and won novice hurdles in December and January when last seen; however, although he won on good ground two years ago, his record since has been dominated by achievements on softer.

10/1

1st

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:45 Doncaster

Minstrel Knight

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Edward Bethell

Useful Flat performer who got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Wetherby (2m, soft) four weeks ago; he's open to further improvement in this code and could have a big part to play under a penalty.

7/1

28

(33)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Minstrel Knight

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Edward Bethell

English raider has won three of his 10 starts on turf; best recent form has come on testing ground; beaten 2.25 off this mark in a class 4 handicap at Musselburgh latest (2m2f, gd-sft); needs the heavens to open.

22/1

Form: 621311 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: -04512 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Plentiful form at Musselburgh includes sound performances the last twice (good), winning over the extended 1m4f then second to Paper Doll over 2m2f; likely to remain competitive.
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

Form: 622471

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Opened his account in Goodwood contest last week when attempting 2m for the first time; may build on that success and show additional progress upped further in distance; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Novelista

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Warren Greatrex

Acts on good and heavy ground; won off 2lb lower over C&D for Charlie Johnston last autumn and he ran well over hurdles last month, on his second run for current yard; seems tactically versatile and he's in the mix off a workable mark back on the Flat.

9/2

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Novelista

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn (sold for 165,000gns soon after); 9-2, weakened to finish a well-held sixth of ten in Ascot juvenile (2m, soft) on hurdle debut in January; should be capable of a lot better in this sphere.

2/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 157y

Class 3

12:25 Ascot

Novelista

11st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Not far off useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn; changed hands for 165,000gns in October; likely to be suited by longer distances in due course but he commands respect on his hurdling debut even so.

5/1

Form: 443599

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Five wins for previous yard; dropped away and failed to beat a rival last time on debut for new stable; perhaps best watched unless the market suggests a return to form is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Dreams Adozen

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Inconsistent for new yard in the second half of last year but posted wins at Musselburgh (2m2f, good to soft) and Nottingham (1m6f, heavy; when last seen); in the mix if at the top of her game on this reappearance.

2/1

2

(6)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Dreams Adozen

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: James Owen

Won at Musselburgh (2m2f, good to soft) last month on second stable start and didn't see out the stiff finish at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) last time; she's not discounted now back down in trip.

13/2

9

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Dreams Adozen

8st 6lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

Ultra game from the front when winning last week's 2m2f Musselburgh Gold Cup (good to soft); effectively 4lb lower with Ashley Lewis taking off 7lb, but she had a very yard race and this rise in class may find her out.

14/1

Form: 407045

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Bagged a big bonus for winning three Sunday Series events in 2024; inconsistent this season and finished last in small field most recently; admittedly very well treated on best form.
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

Form: /99941

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread at Hamilton (good to soft) last week, needing every yard of the stiff 1m5f; bit to prove over 2m2f but the step back up in trip seems worth exploring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(9)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:50 Hamilton

Perseus Way

10st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Got up in the last stride to win the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 7lb lower mark (trained by Stuart Coltherd); in fine form for new stable in 2026 with his win in a C&D handicap in June sandwiched by a pair of hurdle wins at Hexham; another solid hurdle run 73 days ago; needs serious consideration.

9/4

2nd

1

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

15:43 Hexham

Perseus Way

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Bidding for a hat-trick of hurdle wins having won his last two races over 2m4f here, last time beating Well Educated by 9l; won over 1m5f on the Flat at Hamilton in between (good); 9lb higher than last win, but a chance despite dropping back in trip.

Evs

1st

6

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Perseus Way

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

5lb higher mark than for last month's soft-ground C&D victory over Sunset Hill and Johnson's Blue still reads favourably next to his 2022-23 peak RPRs; Flat scorer at Hamilton since (1m5f, good), and plainly on fine terms with himself again; player.

9/4

Form: 671455 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Triple course winner but may have to settle for a supporting role, having been beaten in races won by Paper Doll and Perseus Way the last twice and being 3lb out of weights.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £317.90
Straight Forecast £248.15
Tricast £4552.13
Trifecta £4503.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Novelista

RP RATINGS:

Maghlaak

Daily Mirror:

Paper Doll

Daily Mail:

Simple Star

The Times:

Novelista

D Express:

Novelista

The Sun:

Novelista

Daily Record:

Novelista

The Star:

Paper Doll

TOPSPEED:

Maghlaak

POSTDATA:

Maghlaak

Telegraph:

Maghlaak

The Guardian:

Maghlaak