16:13 Musselburgh

Saturday 21 May 2022

All13:5314:2815:0315:3816:1316:4817:23

Edinburgh Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:14 | Winning time: 2m 43.20s

(9)

State Legend²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: P Hanagan| T: J Ferguson| OR: 85| BF| D

14/1

Latest win at Doncaster in April and matched that form when fourth (5/2) at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm) 21 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 3-11514

(4)

Trojan Horse¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 84| D

7/2

Dual novice winner who almost certainly progressed again sent handicapping when third of 7 at Chester (12.3f) 16 days ago, clear of rest having made running. Best days surely still ahead of him and much respected from 2 lb higher.

Form: 31-13

(1)

Nathanael Greene²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 81

5/2

Improved after 6 months off (gelded) when winning 8-runner minor event at Chepstow (10f, good) 23 days ago, responding well. Up in trip for handicap debut and ought to go on improving.

Form: 03-1

(7)

Charles St^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: G Boughey| OR: 79| D

15/2

Took a step forward when second of 5 in handicap (6/1) at Doncaster (11.9f, good) 21 days ago, no match for winner. Cheekpieces on for 1st time. Can give another good account.

Form: 2122

(6)

Zimmerman^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

16/1

Justified good support in first-time cheekpieces when winning 10-runner handicap at Haydock (11.8f, good to soft) 14 days ago, forging clear. Respected up 7 lb.

Form: 683-241

(8)

Pons Aelius⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73| D

20/1

Won first 2 starts in handicaps at Wolverhampton but was below form in a deeper race at York (11.8f, good to firm, 16/1) 8 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 735-117

(2)

Hilts⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rowan Scott| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 69

3/1

Showed much improved form to get off the mark in 14-runner handicap (2/1) at Redcar (10f, soft) 47 days ago by short head from Zimmerman. Open to further progress up in trip.

Form: 737-1

(3)

Campese¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: A Elliott| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 68| D

33/1

Is learning by the run and improved further to get off the mark in 5-runner handicap at Bath (11.6f, good, 4/1) 10 days ago, finding extra. 4 lb higher in a deeper race now but remains unexposed.

Form: 870-41

(5)

Belle Of Annandale³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 64

22/1

Lightly-raced maiden who ran to a fair level starting out in handicaps when fourth of 9 at Southwell (12.1f, 14/1) 34 days ago, nearest finish. This is a much warmer race though, so more required.

Form: 746-4

Forecasts

Nathanael Greene (5/2), Hilts (3/1), Trojan Horse (7/2), Charles St (15/2), State Legend (14/1), Zimmerman (16/1), Pons Aelius (20/1), Belle Of Annandale (22/1), Campese (33/1)

HILTS did well to run down Zimmerman (winner since) at Redcar having conceded first run and still looks very well treated following a 6 lb rise for that success, especially with further improvement on the cards now upped further in distance. Trojan Horse was value for a little extra over the result when third on handicap debut at Chester and his best days are surely still ahead of him, while Nathanael Greene completes the shortlist.