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NOTHING beats a bit of local knowledge and that's why I'm focusing my attentions on tonight's twilight fixture at Musselburgh.
Musselburgh 7.05
BRANDON CASTLE (7.05) can provide Archie Watson with another winner at Musselburgh, a track that is fast becoming a home-from-home for the Lambourn trainer.
His last trip north yielded a double with Masarzain and Alnasl, both ridden by Eddie Greatrex, who has now lost his 3lb claim.
Brandon Castle has been penalised 4lb for his recent Salisbury success over 1m 6f and that is a fairly lenient assessment as he bossed the race from a long way out. Watson and Greatrex teamed up for a winner at Salisbury yesterday, so the yard remains in top form.
Jonny Delta looks the only other possible frontrunner and there is every chance Brandon Castle will be able to dominate his rivals. The form of his Salisbury success is pretty solid, with Ralph Beckett’s Really Super readily held in second and there was another gap back to the Neil Mulholland-trained The Twisler in third.
Canny Style has been a good money-earner during the summer months and any rain (most unlikely) would aid her chances. She likes it around here and usually travels into her races quite strongly.
Musselburgh 6.05
Watson could easily bag his second Musselburgh double as MASARZAIN (6.05) scored with such authority at the last meeting that a 6lb penalty may not be enough to prevent a follow-up.
The top weight revelled on the very fast ground/decent pace and it could be a similar scenario here with an official going description this morning of good to firm, good in places.
Hopefully they go a good clip as Masarzain will need to be dropped in from his widest stall for a late run.
Musselburgh 6.35
MAGICAL EFFECT (6.35) was a very unlucky loser at Catterick, twice being denied a clear run before snatching third when eventually seeing some clear daylight.
Ruth Carr’s top weight should take his revenge on winner Sakhee’s Return on these revised terms, even though the draw could have been kinder and this will be the fastest terrain he has encountered for quite some time. It would be no surprise to see Magical Effect drifting a little given his short overnight odds.
Musselburgh 5.35
Iain Jardine sets a poser by running two in the 1m 4f Class 6 handicap, with ROSEMAY (5.35) preferred over Elite Icon.
Rosemay moves up in trip after chasing home Alnasl over 1m 1f and the filly could have finished a bit closer as Ben Robinson dropped his whip over a furlong out. Stamina is a legitimate concern over this much longer trip and I’ll be taking out some each-way insurance.
It’s a fairly competitive affair for the grade and High Wells ran out an easy winner at Bath, which will make him popular with punters. He is 6lb higher and the placed horses, Snowy Winter and Affair, are no great shakes, but Seamus Durack is a very shrewd trainer when it comes to placing his horses.
Costa Percy showed little on the Flat but was a dual scorer over hurdles in June, which suggests he has improved in the interim.
Knightsbridge Liam’s third to Solo Mission (Kempton runner-up on Wednesday) at Carlisle was a good effort and Mick Easterby’s three-year-old is another in with a shout.
Recommended bets
- Musselburgh (7.05) – Brandon Castle 9/4 Ladbrokes
- Musselburgh (6.05) – Masarzain 9/4 BetVictor
- Musselburgh (6.35) – Magical Effect 7/4 Ladbrokes
- Musselburgh (5.35) – Rosemay ew 9/2 William Hill
In December 2020 we sadly 
Love it when you stick to Scottish tracks Alan am no them all GL.