Musselburgh Sunday 20th February

 

This Course rarely gets heavy ground and is probably one of the easiest in terms of stamina in the UK and the sanding of the bends a few years back has made it much safer, but if ever it's going to be stamina sapping ground here, it'll be today.

 

I've found a few, and to be honest there aren't many on the Card as it is a Course where Trainers tend to send anything but mud-larks, who have bits of soft and heavy ground form who may have some early market value.

 

2.10 - Handicap Chase - 3 miles - those at the top of the market are very short really if you look at form in the Going and at the trip with Champ Is Red at least having some 3 mile P2P form but on Chase debut under Rules.

 

The standout in terms of some heavy ground form and assured stamina is SHANBALLY ROSE who has 3 mile P2P form in soft and whose best Hurdle races were here, I'll give it a sporting each way chance.

 

3.55 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - Gemologist and Aazza have decent chances but aren't jumping off the page to be backed i don't think, Zaras Universe is fine at the trip and OK if it's soft but not sure about heavy. It's possible something could love conditions at a huge price and Hold Onto The Line who has at least some P2P from and Aboutimeyoutoldme whose Course form is dire but who comes from a solid Trainer/Jockey combo might give you a shrapnel run at fun odds.

 

The one who stands out here though at the trip and in the ground is BRIDGE ROAD who is fine when its wet underfoot, upped in trip but who has been noticeably outpaced and staying on over shorter and Jennie Candlish is always a Trainer whose horses are fit and tough when the mud is flying.

 

So I'll have a TRACKER each way bet on 2.10 SHANBALLY ROSE + 3.55 BRIDGE ROAD .

Both may be picked up in terms of form on Going so may be wise to take the best price and early.