5:45 Musselburgh Tips

The 4yo progressed nicely last year, finishing with two wins and two narrow defeats. As good as ever two weeks ago, after coming off a six-month break, he was beaten by just a length in a decent 12-runner handicap. He can build on that effort, and he has the same handy-looking mark today.

Humble Spark mainly runs on the AW, with six of his seven wins being on that surface. At the start of this month he ventured onto turf and was a respectable fourth in the C3 Queen's Cup 0-95. With a drop to C4 today in a 0-80, I think this could be doable.

The step up in distance to 2000m did the trick for Velvet Whisper, who is now two wins from two over that distance. He won with plenty in hand and now steps up to 2400m, which could be even better.

Sixpack has been competing mainly over staying trips and showed solid form earlier in the year, including a 2nd at Goodwood over 2m 2f, suggesting he can be effective when conditions suit. His more recent runs in stronger or deeper races haven’t yielded wins, but he has been holding his form reasonably well in handicaps. Dropping slightly in grade or returning to more suitable conditions could see him bounce back into contention.

Dust Cover, who was previously owned by the Queen and King Charles, is in the form of his life on the all-weather, having only been beaten by a nose once in his last four races since being upped in distance to 1m 3f. He did not do well on turf at the beginning of his career, but those races were over a mile. He has been upped in trip again today and has been keeping on well in his last few races. Paddy Bradley retains the ride, and he and trainer Ross Burton make the long trip from Suffolk with one horse.

Hasn't won for nearly two years. However, she was rated as high as 100 in July 2024 and is now down to only 77 on this seasonal reappearance. If not today, she may well be worth following this year.

Fast Fred went down fighting by half a length at Newcastle last time off a 1 lb lower mark, with a solid 29% strike rate at this distance. He comes from the Outstrip speed and Sea The Stars stamina pedigree. Cheekpieces on and a proper each-way contender here.

Trainer has got two entered in this race. This one will be fitter for its last outing and has a good jockey booking/change. A good each-way bet for the four places available.

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Made All has drifted in the market but now looks a big price for a last-time-out winner. He has won 4 of his 31 starts on the flat, with 3 coming on turf and the last on AW at Wolverhampton last month. A 3 lb rise has put him on a career-high mark, but he should still go well and is worth backing EW with 4 places on offer.

Northwest Passage did a fine job in Sept/Oct with a win in the mud in C5 and a good second on soft in C3. While the next two runs were pants hurdling, he returns to the flat today after wind surgery. I would not be surprised if he was back on target in this C4 and the expected rain today can only help EW 4P.

One of the two most experienced competitors in this race, Simple Star is a specialist at racing right here in Musselburgh. He has competed in 14 races, winning three of them, all over C&D. He is returning to racing after a break, but the same applies to half the field. His knowledge of the track’s characteristics is an advantage, and his chances of finishing in the money are very real