Oli Bell previews the opening Sunday Series card from Musselburgh and provides a selection for every race.
The Sky Bet Sunday Series is returning for a sixth year and welcomes a new charity partner in Young Lives vs Cancer.
The ever-popular Series is a strategic collaboration between Flutter, RMG, ITV, HorsePWR and the host racecourses and has now delivered nearly £5m in additional prizemoney since its launch in 2021.
The series will span five fixtures starting at Musselburgh (April 12 and 26) before rolling on to Hamilton Park (May 17) before crossing the border for the remaining two cards at Thirsk (May 31) and Pontefract (August 16).
There are plenty of prizes on offer, including £100,000 to the connections of the first horse to win three races across the Series which was won last year by Spring Is Sprung, trained by Paul Midgley and owned by John Blackburn. There is the inaugural Jockeys’ Cup and a £25,000 first prize for the jockey who picks up most points across the Series, with £5,000 on offer for second, and £3,000 for third. Stable Staff will have the opportunity to win cash prizes, with a total of £15,000 (£10k, £3k, £2k) to be paid out to the stable staff of the first three trainers in the Series. In addition, Sky Bet will once again kindly sponsor and offer £250 for the Best Turned Out in each race.
Musselburgh Course Guide
Musselburgh is the second biggest racecourse in Scotland (behind Ayr) and like that track, racing takes place all year round, over jumps in winter and on the Flat in summer. The course is one of best draining in the country with conditions rarely too testing. It is a right handed and sharp track, particularly the turns at the top end of the course. On the straight course the fields usually congregate towards the stands' side rail.
Oli Bell's race-by-race selections
15:45 Sky Bet Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Apprentice Handicap
He enjoyed a remarkable 2025, winning six times and ran a cracker when second in a stronger race than this in round one at this track. DWINDLING FUNDS ticks a lot of boxes for the excellent Jim Goldie yard..
16:15 Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes
Both Seed Ya Later and DONNA RUMMA shaped like certain future winners when second on their respestive debuts and preference on Sunday is for the latter. Richard Hannon has his juvenile team ticking along nicely and this filly bumped into a good one when chasing home Princesse d'Orange at Beverley. She met with trouble in running that day and will have learned plenty.
16:45 Sky Bet Club Fillies' Handicap
She needs to bounce back from an off-day at Lingfield last time but LADY DORA MAE is worth another chance. George Boughey's chard had previously appeared to be on an upward curve after wins at Southwell and Kempton and is less exposed than most of her rivals. She's the pick in a very open race.
17:15 Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap
He was a two-time winner at Ascot last season and NIGHT BREEZE has been running himself back into form on the all-weather of late. His most recent third Londoner marked a return to form and he's fancied to make a bold bid under top weight from a rating only a pound higher than his last winning mark.
17:45 Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap
He's dropped to an attractive mark and PERSUASION might be about to take advantage. The nine-year-old goes well at this track and while disappointing on his most recent outing earlier in the month, it might be worth forgiving the run as he's down two pounds for it and three lower than his last winning rating.
18:15 Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap
He'll be one of the shorter-priced favourites on the card but ALTHER WALDEN is hard to oppose. In good hands, he's won his last two starts and is improving all the time. Up six pounds for scoring at Newcastle last time, he can defy the rise now his stamina is stretched out further. He might stay on a roll for a little while.
18:45 Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap
He was a three-time winner in 2025 and REIGNING PROFIT's turn might not be far away. Four pounds out of the weights in a much stronger race than this at Pontefract last time, he travelled well before running out of racing room. He returns to Class 4 company on a mark four pounds lower than his last winning one.
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