16:55 Musselburgh

Saturday 2 June 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:5517:30

Madeleine Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 59.59s

(10)

Merhoob⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: J Ryan| OR: 85

8/1

Yet to win on turf (0/8) but has been placed and his two runs on the AW this year have shown that he is in top form and interesting from this sort of mark. Nicely drawn here and travelled well last time; of major interest.

Form: 1244/72

(6)

Royal Brave¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 85| CD

7/2

Successful four times over C&D the latest came in May given a chance to run in a 0-80 and quickening well to lead late on. Made no impact last time out in a much tougher race/grade at York; will appreciate a return to this venue

Form: 66-6510

(4)

Paddy Power²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

11/2

Three wins came his way last year at up to 6f but has shown that he act over 5f (usually needs some cut at the trip though). Ran up to his best this year on his second start at Thirsk (6f, good/soft) but blew the start last time out.

Form: 118-047

(2)

Signore Piccolo^h³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: D Loughnane| OR: 80| D

5/1

Back from a six month break his run at Doncaster should bring him on and it was a race full of encouragement. Looking at his current mark (80) he's handicapped to be competitive although he's been handed an awkward low draw here.

Form: 48603-5

(8)

Landing Night^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 79| CD

5/1

Gave one of his best performances of last year over C&D although that race did rather work out for him. The majority of his runs this year have been of a very sound nature especially his last one at Thirsk; not written off lightly.

Form: 55-0432

(7)

Tallinski^p1²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 76| D

9/1

Successful on his first run of the season last year (off a long break) he nearly repeated the dose this year at Thirsk (5f, good) shaping better than the bare result. May well have just needed that run; cheekpieces now on first time.

Form: 55330-7

(1)

Oriental Lilly¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 74| D

12/1

Has got the worst of the draw here in stall 1 having progressed well on the AW (Tapeta) over sprints trips at the start of the year. Only ran a respectable race returned to turf last time and might not get much cover here from her track position.

Form: 111563

(5)

War Whisper²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Barry McHugh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 72| D

6/1

Previously with Richard Hannon he's joined a yard that are excellent at finding the key to sprinters. Gelded since he was with the Hannon's he shown in two starts that off a reduced mark there is still something to work with.

Form: 8889-45

(3)

Economic Crisis²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Evans| T: A Berry| OR: 71| CD

14/1

Four times a winner over C&D two of them have come on quick ground. Looks to have worked her way back to form this year and this will be her first run on a fast surface this year; draw hasn't been that kind though.

Form: 3-70523

Non-Runners

(9)

Sfumato²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 4

T: I Jardine J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Royal Brave (7/2), Signore Piccolo (5/1), Landing Night (5/1), Paddy Power (11/2), War Whisper (6/1), Merhoob (8/1), Tallinski (9/1), Oriental Lilly (12/1), Sfumato (12/1), Economic Crisis (14/1)

A typically competitive Musselburgh sprint where gaining a good position from your draw will play a part and despite the fact that MERHOOB has yet to win on turf he’s chosen to take this after his two very sound runs on the AW this year. Royal Brave can never be left out of things around here and he’ll find this less exacting than the 0-105 he contested at York last time. Landing Night has been knocking on the door of late and he another one who should be given a decent chance. Both Signore Piccolo and Economic Crisis have shaped well of late but neither have been that lucky with the draw while another to catch the eye of late has been Sfumato but 6f looks more his trip.