16:15 Musselburgh
This is an interesting looking handicap being run over seven furlongs, and it contains a good mix of upcoming three-year-olds and more experienced handicappers.
Whatsthemessage is trained by Keith Dalgleish and she has been running well. She was second over a mile last time out at Carlisle in a better race than this, where her stamina just gave out inside the final furlong. Prior to that, she won at the same course over today's distance, and I think she could be very dangerous here today now dropping back down in trip and class. Dalgleish has a good strike rate here at Musselburgh over the past year, and it showing a level stakes profit of 11.21 from 92 runners, which is a good effort.
The other three-year-old in the field is Hamster Jam. Mark Johnston is her trainer and although she is still a maiden, she has run with some promise a few times so far this year. Nine furlongs was too far for her last time out at Epsom, and prior to that, she was just beaten over a mile at Beverley, in a 0-75 handicap. She reverts to seven furlongs for the first time since her debut run, and I think it is a distance that can bring out the best in her.
Fine Example is one of the top weights and this Showcasing gelding was second last time out over course and distance. A repeat of that run would surely see him have a great chance of making the frame again at least, and he is one of the front runners in the field. That is a definite advantage as early leaders here over this trip have a strike rate of 28.24% and have produced a level stakes profit of 139.38. Kevin Stott takes the ride again today and he has over a 30% strike rate when riding at Musselburgh for the past year.
Major Crispies has been placed in four of his last five starts, without managing to get his head in front. Last time out he was only denied by a nose and seemed at relish the quicker conditions that day. He faces the same going here and runs from the same mark, therefore, he looks very capable of posing a threat. Both trainer and jockey have decent records when racing at Musselburgh, and it would be no surprise to see them improve on that in this.
Today's selection
Whatsthemessage - 1 point win @ 9/1 (bet365)