It’s the return of the Sunday Series this weekend and the action heads to Musselburgh on Sunday 13th April for a competitive late afternoon, early evening fixture. The action kicks off at 3:45pm and goes right through until 6:45pm with seven races. We take a look at the dedicated ITV for the live terrestrial action and pick out a selection in each contest.
Race 1 – 3.45pm Musselburgh – Enter ITV7 For Free Handicap
Iain Jardine’s IZZARI was an impressive two-length winner at Newcastle two starts ago, but failed to follow up that up at Southwell next time out. The four-year-old never really got into contention in that event, but he could be one that can bounce back from that effort and land victory in this very trapping opening race at 3:45pm. He’s 5lbs higher than his last victory, so this is a bigger ask, but Mohammed Tabti takes 5lbs off his back, so that could prove vital in the closing stages.
Race 2 – 4.15pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet Club British EBF Novice Stakes
Some interesting newcomers line up for the novice stakes at 4:15pm and only one contender has any experience on the track, and that one is Roger Fell’s Harswell Coming, who struggled to play any part at Doncaster. Karl Burke’s CLEAR FORCE is an intriguing newcomer as the son of Supremacy has the potential to be a smart performer and with the market likely to give some notable clues he could be the solid option in race two of the day.
Race 3 – 4.45pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap
Some much loved, older sprinters take their chance in the 5f sprint at 4.45 with the likes of Only Spoofing, Arecibo and Zarzyni all looking to roll back the years and claim victory. However, this could be one for a younger contender to take victory and the one to side with is Jim Goldie’s ETERNAL SUNSHINE. The five-year-old failed to figure on his first start of the season at Musselburgh at the start of the month, but he’s sure to come on for that run and having already tasted success at the track last season then he looks capable of tasting more success again.
Race 4 – 5.15pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap
Charlie Johnston’s ETRETAT was staying on eye-catchingly well over 1m 2f at Lingfield last time out when finishing fourth, so the step up to 1m 4f for the 5.15pm contest should see him improve further. Trying one-and-a-half miles for the first time in his career, the four-year-old is only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark, so a mark of 70 looks more than workable, if he can excel over the longer trip.
Race 5 – 5.45pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap
It could prove to be a successful afternoon for the abovementioned Johnston, who can claim back-to-back wins on the card with MARHABA GHAIYYATH storming to glory in the 5.45pm race. Second on debut at Wolverhampton, the Ghaiyyath colt hasn’t looked back since winning at Lingfield and Wolverhampton and he can duly land the hat-trick here. Given a mark of 84 on handicap debut, he will have to improve again to defy top weight here, but he could prove to be a horse that’s rated in the 100s by the end of the season and he can cruise to a third win on the bounce here.
Race 6 – 6.15pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet Proud To Support ROR Handicap
Tim Easterby’s VINCE LE PRINCE has been off the track for six months, but the five-year-old was last seen claiming a half-a-length victory at Catterick and is looking to return with another victory in the penultimate race on the card at 6.15pm. He’s been given a 4lbs rise for that win by the handicapper, so a mark of 77 is going to test him, but he still looks to have some potential to improve in this event and he’s the tentative selection in another tricky contest.
Race 7 – 6.45pm Musselburgh – Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap
Richard Fahey’s RAMAZAN and David O’Meara’s New Image both sit at the top of the handicap for the final race of the day at 6.45pm, but that pair can fight out the finish. It’s the former that makes most appeal in the contest as he’s contested Listed events on his last two outings, so this should be a little easier. If he can replicate the second placed finish he produced in the Great St. Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon then he looks more than capable of going close here.
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