18:30 Musselburgh

Thursday 30 July 2020

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

scottishracingacademy.org Handicap

Off time: 18:34 | Winning time: 59.96s

(3)

Lomu²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 90| CD

7/1

Won two decent little races on the AW last December but has been held in a couple of Class 3 handicaps since. Disconcerting he was a disappointing favourite the last time he raced here and he needs to be at his best from a lofty current rating.

Form: 711-544

(6)

Duke Of Firenze⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 9-12| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 81| D

12/1

Being kept busy but he's so far been unable to exploit a drop in the ratings. He's now on a highly competitive mark but does need to prove that age isn't just simply catching up with him. (4lb lower than his last win.)

Form: 00-9404

(7)

Gowanbuster^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: S Corbett| OR: 80| CD

13/8

Already won twice over C&D since the end of June but now 10lb higher and is up in grade significantly. That said, he's been a revelation since dropping to the minimum trip so must be respected in the hat-tick bid. (Ground and distance ideal.)

Form: 344411

(5)

Militia¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 74| BF| CD

3/1

Tried to make all at Catterick 15 days ago but outdone by a better handicapped rival close home; held his form well for his current yard and, as he's only 4lb higher than for a C&D win last October, he looks capable of another strong challenge.

Form: 13-3432

(1)

Fashion Advice⁴⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Shane Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78| D

20/1

Showed promise on debut but stepped forward in good style to make every yard in a novice stakes at Catterick last month. More to do now in a handicap for the first time and lacks the experience of the rest; today's effort will be a good yardstick.

Form: 31-

(4)

Sound Of Iona¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: J S Goldie| OR: 73| D

11/2

Second behind Gowanbuster here earlier in the month but has since shown her mettle by winning a novice stakes at Ayr a fortnight ago. More to do on the revised terms and this is her toughest test so far; needs everything to go her way.

Form: 247-421

(2)

Royal Brave⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 70| CD

14/1

Consistent enough but has form to reverse with a few of these and faces a stern test of resilience. Runs from his lowest mark for quite some time but recent form suggests others already have his measure.

Form: 8-67545

Forecasts

Gowanbuster (13/8), Militia (3/1), Sound Of Iona (11/2), Lomu (7/1), Duke Of Firenze (12/1), Royal Brave (14/1), Fashion Advice (20/1)

There's no doubting that Gowanbuster arrives in the form of his life and could well be hard to peg back in his bid to land his three-timer. However, MILITIA seems to raise his game when racing north of the Scottish border and this wily character could be good value to spoil the party for Susan Corbett's charge. Lomu is eased in grade and is also feared, while Sound Of Iona doesn't have much to find to reverse the C&D form with Gowanbuster on the newly revised terms. Fashion Advice is far less exposed than the rest and is also respected as one for the future whatever happens.