I always like this card at Musselburgh, it might lack the depth of previous years, but I am looking forward to watching the Queen’s Cup. Haydock has also got some good races, so hopefully I can find you a few winners just in time for Easter Sunday.
1.50 Musselburgh – Peace Walk (Win)
For this opening race of the Flat season at Musselburgh, you have to look no further than the Johnson stable. The family has won it four times since 2018, and they look to have two strong candidates this year: with Individualism and Peace Talk. The one I am going to side with is the latter, as I think the son of Cracksman will relish the ground. He was progressive last season and was very impressive after he bolted up at Beverley. Furthermore, I think he is speedier than his stablemate, as he hails from a powerful staying family, and he’ll probably be best seen over further in time. If Peace Talk can get off to a good start and not be too far from the pace, I think he’ll go close.
2.25 Musselburgh – Gweedore (Each Way)
Gweedore comes here seeking a hat-trick of wins in this race after winning the last two renewals. He seems to be well suited by the nature of the track at Musselburgh, as it’s one often favoured by front runners, which is often his running style. Furthermore, he can go well fresh, as he’s shown by winning this race in the past. It will take another massive performance to win this race off his current mark of 100, but I can’t see any reason why he won’t feature, and I am happy to side with him here.
3.00 Musselburgh – Glorious Angel (Each Way)
This race appears to lack a bit of depth compared to recent years, but the one I am going to put up is Glorious Angel each way. I don’t think she shaped that badly on her seasonal return at Doncaster, where she finished sixth in Listed company. She now drops back down in trip to 5f, and these calmer waters should suit her now that she’s running in a handicap. If the daughter of Cotai Glory can get off to a good start, she could just be hard to peg back.
3.35 Musselburgh – Chillingham (Each Way)
The horse I like in here is Chillingham for Ed Bethell, whose stock seems to be improving every year. Chillingham ran in some really competitive races last season, which included a respectable fourth-placed effort at Royal Ascot. Furthermore, the son of Ulysses seems to go well fresh, and he won on his seasonal appearance last year at Thirsk. If the ground has any soft in the going description I think he’s got the profile of a horse that can win this race.
2.05 Haydock – El Jefe (Each Way)
El Jefe has rapidly improved this season and has been a great credit to his connections, with one of his wins coming at Haydock back in December. The last time we saw him, he finished second at Bangor-On-Dee where he was hampered in the closing stages when still going well. That definitely cost him his challenge, and if he had gotten a clearer run, I think he would have gone close. This is a competitive race, but I wouldn’t rule him out of the frame. He likes the track, he’s still improving, and he’s versatile when it comes to the ground. For me, he’s one of my strongest picks of the weekend.
2.40 Haydock – Astronomic View (Win)
It was nice to see Astronomic View finally put it together when he won at Wincanton earlier this month. He had been knocking on the door in plenty of good races but always was finding one too good. I think the key to him is heavy ground, as he seems to handle it better than most. A lot of the field here has questions to answer regarding the testing conditions, and I think the seven-year-old gelding can defy an 8lb rise.
3.15 Haydock – Le Ligerien (Each Way)
It’s hard to trust several of these old boys, but Le Ligerien seems to have been plotted at this race. He’s best over 2m4f these days, and he definitely found 2m way too sharp last time out at Sandown. He won’t mind it if the ground is on the testing side, as he’s won at Haydock in the mud in the past over hurdles. The son of Turgeon is only 1lb above his last winning mark, and I can see him putting up a bold run.
