13:50 Musselburgh

Saturday 8 April 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

tote 250K Guaranteed Placepot Royal Mile Handicap

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 1m 40.98s

(3)

Captain Winters^p1¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 94

12/1

Lightly-raced winner. 15/2, bit below form 8¾ lengths fifth of 9 to Local Dynasty in listed race at Pontefract (8f, good to soft). Off 173 days. Cheekpieces on 1st time. No chances taken with opening mark but he's from a top family.

Form: 42135-

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(2)

Finn's Charm²¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 92| C

9/1

Won 7f maiden here on second start and made frame in Chesham Stakes on next outing. Failed to beat a rival on last 2 outings though, so now has good deal to prove.

Form: 31459-

(8)

Manitou¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 90

7/1

Won at Chepstow and Bro Park last season but underperformed when bidding to complete hat-trick in listed race at Chantilly (7f, good to soft). Viable excuses there, so could get back on the up making handiap debut.

Form: 3317-

(9)

Chillhi¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 88| D

22/1

Two wins from 6 runs last year, both on AW. 16/1, well-beaten last of 9 to Local Dynasty in listed race at Pontefract (8f, good to soft). Off 173 days. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 618159-

(4)

Pol Roger¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 87| D

17/2

Won minor events at Haydcok and Thirsk last August before running a fine second at Ayr on nursery debut. Clearly not 100% on his final outing last term, so isn't fully discounted if ready to roll after 6 months off.

Form: 21120-

(5)

Lion Of War¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Johnston| OR: 87

4/1

Ready winner of a 7f Leicester maiden on debut and followed up in impressive fashion at Newcastle in June. Finished last season withcreditable third of 8 in nursery at Doncaster (7f, heavy) and he's shortlisted.

Form: 11553-

(6)

Metahorse¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: M L W Bell| OR: 87

11/2

Recorded successive victories in July, winning 3-runner event on nursery debut at Thirsk (7f). In-and-out after but his best form at 2 yrs would see him in the mix.

Form: 211038-

(1)

Gincident⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

17/2

Improver this winter, winning 3 times on AW, most recently when landing 4-runner handicap (13/2) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 43 days ago. Showed form on turf last summer so looks hard to rule out with the benefit of race fitness on his side.

Form: 421-131

(7)

Dumfries³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Hayley Turner| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 79| D

3/1

Well supported and showed improved form when easily winning 12-runner maiden at Southwell (8.1f, 6/1) 30 days ago. Opening mark looks potentially lenient and he's much respected.

Form: 425-1

Forecasts

Dumfries (3/1), Lion Of War (4/1), Metahorse (11/2), Manitou (7/1), Gincident (17/2), Pol Roger (17/2), Finn's Charm (9/1), Captain Winters (12/1), Chillhi (22/1)

A highly-competitive three-year-old handicap, in which recent Southwell maiden winner DUMFRIES is fancied to follow up from that decisive success on handicap debut. Gincident has enjoyed a productive winter and merits respect back on turf, with Lion of War narrowly making most appeal of those returning from winter breaks.