The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and the trials are coming thick and fast. Musselburgh’s two-day Scottish Cheltenham Trials meeting always gives us some competitive action.
They have managed to put up some decent prize money once again, which has drawn the attention of some Irish and southern raiders. This means we should have some quality racing on our hands.
Day 1 kicks off on Saturday and the feature race is the £100,000 Edinburgh National. This is well supported by the Scottish County Hurdle and the Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle. We’ll assess the three main races of the day.
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2.15 - bet365 Edinburgh National (Class 2, 3m7½f)
Day 1’s major event is the valuable Edinburgh National and a competitive field of 12 are set to take their chance. The progressive chaser UNIVERSAL FOLLY could be the one to side with in this, as he has an excellent record over fences and remains unexposed.
Victorious over 2m4f at Hexham earlier this season, it’s his record over three miles or further that looks particularly encouraging. Nicky Richards’ nine-year-old was second to a useful prospect over 3m1f at Aintree on his penultimate start. He also recorded back-to-back wins over the three miles at Uttoxeter and Hexham last year and is worth giving a go over this marathon trip.
Of the rest, Irish raider Peaches And Cream heads the market and his previous win over 3m7f gives him every chance. Charles Byrnes sends over Temptationinmilan and it’s worth keeping an eye on that one in the betting. Inis Oirr of Lucinda Russell’s has a bit to find on recent form but she can never be ruled out when having a runner over a marathon trip.
2.50 - bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 1m7½f)
BENSON heads the market for this competitive handicap hurdle and it’s easy to see why. He was a good winner here over 2m4f when last seen and the 3lb rise in the weights shouldn’t be too taxing. Also a winner of the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in March, he has proven himself to be just as competitive over shorter distances. Another big run could well be on the cards.
Afadil was third behind Benson last time out and didn’t quite manage to get home over 2m4f in soft ground. He’s since been dropped 1lb by the handicapper and now has a 4lb swing with that rival. That combined with the drop back in trip should help Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old to get closer.
Irish raider Your Honor is up 14lb for winning a Listed race at Limerick last time out but he did it in good style and there could be more to come. Donald McCain’s competitive handicapper Ballygeary is also likely to run his race once again.
3.25 - Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2, 3m)
Paul Nicholls has targeted this meeting in the past and has supported the card well once again this year. FARNOGE could provide him with a winner to make the long trip up from Devon a profitable one. He has made a fine start to his career so far, winning a bumper at Uttoxeter and his first two starts over hurdles.
Disappointing in Grade 1 company last time out, this horse is undoubtedly better than that performance suggests. The step up to three miles should suit and further improvement is expected.
Florida Dreams won the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in the spring and was outpaced over 2m½f at Aintree last time out. This is a significant step up in trip but you shouldn’t rule him out. Cadell was well beaten at Cheltenham last time out but he can be a major player if this turns into a real stamina test. Got Your Back was an impressive winner when last seen but has improvement to find.
