Musselburgh

FOUR runners up at Musselburgh on Sunday, with a nice mix of up-and-coming young horses and ones we think are ready to fire. FREEDOM DAY (2.00) falls into the first category, having his first run for us since joining the yard a few months ago. 

A talented flat performer for first the Gosdens then Mark Walford, he got up to a rating of 84 on the level so we’re excited to take him hurdling. He’s shown us he’s a nice horse at home, he’s schooled well and we like him. 

He’s never been the easiest horse when you’ve seen him in his previous races coming out of the paddock onto the track, but we’ve had him to Newcastle for course gallops and he behaved himself so fingers-crossed he’ll be the same this time. 

ARCTIC AMBITION (above) (3.30) carries top weight but it’s the first time he’s been into a 0-100 race for us. This is the lowest mark he’s had since he joined us from Gordon Elliott so I’d like to think he’s in a grade he can be competitive in. 

We gave him a spin over hurdles a few weeks ago at Ayr, which was his first run since August, so he’s come on from that and conditions Musselburgh should suit him. 

In the last race we run two, with INOUE (above) and AWAY SHE GOES (5.00) both lining up. Inoue ran a cracker the last time at Catterick under Ed Austin, who takes the ride again. He’s a pound out of the handicap but he’s a horse on the improve. His owners are Edinburgh-based so it’s a home game for them. We were keen to come here and if he can replicate Catterick we’d be really happy. He’ll have a break after this race. 

Away She Goes hated the ground at Ayr the last time on her first run for the stable. Musselburgh as a track and the underfoot conditions will be far better for her this time round. She’s a sharp little filly, so I’d like to think we’ll see an encouraging performance from her. Conor Rabbit takes the ride, which is his first for us and it’s great because he’s a Greystoke boy and I like that. 

We were really happy with Diamond Mix at Newcastle on Thursday. It was a shame about his mistake two out but he finished second to a very well-handicapped horse and put a decent bit of distance between himself and the third so we were chuffed to bits. There’s plenty to work with there.