15:50 Musselburgh

Wednesday 29 June 2022

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Musselburgh Racecourse Supports Racing With Pride Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 52.89s

(5)

Poet's Dawn^p1⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 65| D

9/4

Sixteen runs since last win in 2021. 15/2, good third of 12 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, good to firm) 7 days ago, well positioned. Cheekpieces on 1st time and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 997473

(1)

Simple Star²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 65

10/1

Fifth of 6 in handicap at Hamilton (11.1f, good, 9/2) 21 days ago, going off too hard. Down 2 lb and could be a factor if again made plenty of use of back at this trip.

Form: 449375

(8)

Caballero^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 60| C

14/1

Course winner. Twenty-nine runs since last win in 2018. Fifth of 8 in handicap (16/1) at Ayr (8f, good to soft) 12 days ago. The ability is there for him to play a part in the finish, but he needs to bounce back.

Form: 2222-05

(2)

Far From A Ruby^h¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: K Scott| OR: 59| D

9/1

20/1, very good second of 8 in handicap at Ayr (8f, good to soft) 12 days ago, clear of rest. Reproduction of that effort would put her in the picture here, despite being nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 097032

(6)

Shine On Brendan²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 57| D

4/1

Two wins from 4 runs this year, the latest at Hamilton in May. Creditable fifth of 11 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good, 15/2) 21 days ago, not ideally placed. Perhaps a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 36-3115

(4)

Irv¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 56

2/1

Twenty four runs since last win in 2019. Good second of 11 in handicap at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm, 7/2) 15 days ago. Remains on an attractive mark and another bold show likely.

Form: 48-5942

(7)

Chinese Spirit¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: T Eaves| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 52| CD

20/1

C&D winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this year. 6/1, improved on recent efforts to win 9-runner minor event at Hamilton (9.2f, good) 14 days ago. More needed if he's to strike again back in handicap company.

Form: 3-60161

(3)

Braes Of Doune¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: J S Goldie| OR: 50

50/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 150/1, sixth of 11 in maiden at Ayr (8f, good to soft) 12 days ago, considerately handled. Needs to raise his game now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 0-46

Forecasts

Irv (2/1), Poet's Dawn (9/4), Shine On Brendan (4/1), Far From A Ruby (9/1), Simple Star (10/1), Caballero (14/1), Chinese Spirit (20/1), Braes Of Doune (50/1)

The most appealing of these is POET'S DAWN, who was successful twice off significantly higher marks than this last spring and left the strong impression that he could be about to cash in when a close third at Carlisle last week. The first-time cheekpieces represent something of an unknown (first run in headgear of any type), but that's no more than a very small concern. Irv also signalled that his turn is near when just touched off at Beverley and he is second choice ahead of Simple Star.