Today’s turf racing comes from Musselburgh and the excellent Irish trainer Gordon Elliot brings over Fagan (12.15) a winner of two Bumpers and three point-to-points in his last five starts. Elliot is obviously looking for some decent ground and is looking for a Scottish hat-trick having picked the pockets of the opposition at both Perth and Ayr with Fagan in recent months.
Indian Temple (1.15) has plenty of miles on the clock for a 6-year-old but he ran an eye-catching race for his new connections when second at Wetherby under today’s pilot at Wetherby. He has been dropped 1lb for that effort and must go close if his amateur jockey can get him involved earlier than at the west Yorkshire track.
Brian Hughes is reunited with Silver Shuffle (2.20) in the Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f on a track where he ran well on the level during the summer. A true test at this trip is ideal for the gelding and he is taken to reward each way support.
Elliot also saddles the mare Myztique (3.20) who finished fourth in a listed contest at Navan last month returning from a 10-month lay-off. She is entitled to come on for that effort and looks another short-priced winner for Richard Johnson.
A good card at Lingfield this afternoon and Super Kid (2.00) is taken to go one better than when runner up at Kempton last time from a 2lbs lower mark. The selection was, arguably, unlucky when being denied a run at the wrong time and he has run very well both starts over today’s track.
Taysh is a fascinating contender making his debut for Mick Appleby having been sold by Al Shaqab by £7,000 back in September. The gelding won a maiden over a mile here for John Gosden as a juvenile and if the market speaks in his favour it might be worth noting.
Ennaad (1.30) can go one better than when second to a promising Gosden sort over C&D when last seen back in October. That winner is rated in the mid-80s and he might not have to improve to take this maiden Roger Charlton‘s Imperial Aviator finished second at 25/1 at Kempton on his first start and looks a danger but the Roger Varian-trained juvenile Enaaad gets the vote.
A valuable card at Chelmsford and Alshaqee (2.10) can win the opening maiden for William Haggas. The selection has been knocking on the door of late and only went down by a nose at Wolverhampton last month although I am concerned that there are a number of front-runners in the race and the selection likes to race prominently.
Not much pace in the valuable Mile Handicap and I hope Adam Kirby makes plenty of use of Mythical Madness (3.40) in stall 3; the recommendation has never raced over a mile but might get a soft lead if the excellent Kirby takes the bull by the horns.
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