What is it like to ride Musselburgh?
Musselburgh is a tight right-handed track which suits a horse that travels well, as you don’t want to be off the bridle a long way out. Your horse needs to be a sharp jumper, the hurdles and fences come up thick and fast. Horses coming off the Flat tend to do well at this track because the ground doesn’t get too soft in the winter. It is one of the tracks in the UK where you’ll often get the best ground during winter, because it drains really well.
My Saturday rides at Musselburgh
3.00 – Castle Robin (Charlie Longsdon)
It was a good comeback run from him when he finished fifth at Doncaster in December, and I’m hoping he can build on that effort here. He’s a consistent horse in these staying handicap chases, and it’s interesting to see Charlie Longsdon make the long journey north to Musselburgh with him.
4.00 – Anglers Crag (Brian Ellison)
He’s been in great form for Brian Ellison, winning his last two starts. He did really well to win at Market Rasen last time out, keeping up to the task in the closing stages. I do think there is more to come from him, and he appears to be in with a live chance to bring up the hat-trick.
4.35 – Langton Wold (Brian Ellison)
He finished second on his first two starts over hurdles, but then last time at Sedgefield, the race didn’t go to plan, and he ended up having to make his own running; and even then he was still able to get his head in front. He will be making his handicap debut in this race, and he will have to carry top weight, but I think he’s got every chance of getting involved.
My Sunday rides at Musselburgh
1.20 – Eagle Prince (Brian Ellison)
He’s been searching for some good ground for a while, and it looks like he’s going to get it here. He’s got some good juvenile form in the book, and I can see him running well at a huge each-way price.
2.25 – Bertie’s Ballet (Dianne Sayer)
He’s a really talented individual. The track might just be a little bit on the fast side for him, and it will be a learning curve. He’s going to have to jump at speed, which will do him the world of good moving forward, and he can only get better from the experience.
4.05 – Cardamom Hill (Dianne Sayer)
He’s a nice horse, but he has lost his way since coming over from Gordon Elliott. He has had a couple of nice runs for Dianne Sayer over fences, but he now switches to hurdles. This is probably the soundest surface he has had for a long time, and hopefully it will bring out the best in him.