15:35 Musselburgh

Saturday 30 March 2024

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

Virgin Bet Queen's Cup (Heritage Handicap)

(8)

Metier^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: H Fry| OR: 101

Smart hurdler who has also bagged 2 big handicaps on the Flat, namely the 2022 November handicap at Doncaster and 2023 Chester Cup. Might have needed his comeback run over hurdles 3 weeks ago and not discounted back on the level.

Form: 5/1-8217

(3)

Tritonic¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 97

Third in the 2½m Ascot Stakes at last year's Royal meeting and also a creditable fourth in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (1¾m) in the autumn. Notched a chase win in November and handicapped to play a prominent role if primed after 106 days off.

Form: 0/03040-

(13)

Chillingham^h¹²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 97

Well suited by give in the ground, winning easily on Thirsk reappearance last April. Mostly creditable efforts in defeat subsequently, proving himself at 1¾m when second at Wolverhampton final start. Player.

Form: 142492-

(2)

Berkshire Rocco^p¹⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| D

Winner over 2m at Southwell last January and plenty of solid efforts later in the season, notably fifth of 22 in the Ebor at York. First outing for 6 months.

Form: 004254-

(10)

Manu Et Corde^t1⁵²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 94

Useful at up to 1¾m at his best for Jim Bolger in Ireland in 2022. Long absence to overcome on return for a new yard but he's still worth a precautionary betting check. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 538500/

(5)

Struth^p¹⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 96

Ran a cracker when close second of 13 in November handicap (run at Newcastle) when last seen. Player if resuming in similar form.

Form: 620442-

(7)

Emiyn¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 92| D

Added to his good Chester record when winning over this trip in the mud last July. Well held in the Cesarewitch final start but this track is more suited to his front-running style (respectable fifth in this 12 months ago).

Form: 771720-

(9)

Sweet Fantasy²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 87

Won a pair of 1½m handicaps with give in the ground for Ralph Beckett last summer and 2-2 over hurdles in 2024 for her new yard. Interesting back on the Flat.

Form: 503117

(12)

Capital Theory¹²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 86

Won over 13f at Ayr last autumn. Remained in form later in the year, finishing a respectable seventh tackling this trip for the first time at Wolverhampton in November.

Form: 016337-

(1)

Evaluation^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 86| C| D

Final leg of a 4-timer for Keith Dalgleish in 2022 came over 2m here. Campaigned lightly in recent times, but he wasn't disgraced on recent yard debut at Southwell considering he was caught too far back in the field.

Form: 08/45-59

(4)

Faylaq¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 83

Respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (1¼m ) on reappearance 15 days ago. Did quite well under the circumstances on that occasion (caught too far back in a steadily-run race) but the fact he hasn't won since 2019 tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 03306-4

(6)

Ravenscraig Castle^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: I Jardine| OR: 83

Several creditable placed efforts last season and seems sure to be sharper for a recent reappearance run on AW but he has developed a frustrating habit of finding at least one too good (no win since summer 2021). Has cheekpieces and a tongue tie combined for first time.

Form: 22239-6

(14)

Hope You Can Run^p²⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C Johnston| OR: 85

Held form well in the first half of last season, deservedly getting his head back in front at Catterick when last seen in July. Eight-month absence to overcome but he's very much unexposed at this trip.

Form: 553321-

(11)

Yorkindness¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 83| C

Typical of one from this yard who thrived on racing in 2023, winning 5 times at 2m+, including here. Down slightly in trip on return and might be best to look elsewhere this time.

Form: 113114-

Forecasts

Chillingham (9/2), Sweet Fantasy (5/1), Berkshire Rocco (11/2), Struth (8/1), Metier (10/1), Yorkindness (10/1), Hope You Can Run (10/1), Capital Theory (12/1), Tritonic (12/1), Emiyn (14/1), Evaluation (16/1), Manu Et Corde (20/1), Faylaq (25/1), Ravenscraig Castle (25/1)

SWEET FANTASY has impressed when winning twice over hurdles this year for new trainer James Owen and looks to have some mileage in her mark back on the Flat. Chillingham built up a really solid record in good handicaps last year and is second choice ahead of November handicap runner-up Struth, one of 4 runners from the Charlie Johnston stable.