The going at Musselburgh for their evening meeting is currently good, and they are expecting scattered showers, while at Market Rasen it is currently good, and they are watering to maintain.
Balkotic is first up at 1.35.pm, in the 0-105 handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs, with Josh Thompson retaining the ride. Balkotic was at the top of his form when winning at Catterick, and Hexham in September, and November, but he was well beaten at Newcastle on his return, after six months off in May. He will strip fitter this time, and remains 3lb above his last winning mark.
Bannockburn didn't show a great deal in three starts when trained in France, and has since finished well down the field for us in both starts in maiden, and novice hurdle company. She has been given an opening handicap mark of 85, and she could finally get competitive with Conor O'Farrell booked to ride. The race is a 0-100 mares handicap hurdle at 2.10.pm, over the extended two miles.
Ballylinch is a six year old gelding who has recently arrived from Ireland, having won one of his 11 point to point starts so far, and was second as recently as April. He will start off under rules in a weak looking novices hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs, at 2.45.pm, with the champion jockey Brian Hughes booked to ride.
Rory And Me who is a three times winner at Market Rasen, has run with credit on both of his last two starts at the track, and only found one too good last time. He has been pushed up 1lb for those two runs, but the law of averages suggest that his turn is not too far away. He goes to post for the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles and four furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride.
High Noon is now exceedingly well handicapped, being 16lb below his last winning mark, which came at Market Rasen in June 2021. Since returning from 11 months off the track he has failed to sparkle in both starts, but a return to anywhere near his best form at 11 years old is not totally ruled out. He goes to post for the 4.30.pm, in a 0-100 handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs, with his regular rider Conor O'Farrell in the saddle.
At Musselburgh, Myboymax will wear first time cheek pieces in an attempt to revitalise him, as he has been lacklustre in all of his last six starts since possibly putting up a personal best at Wolverhampton back in December. He has now come down a full 6lb since that last success, and he will take his chance at 6.40.pm, in the 0-68 handicap, over the extended 12 furlongs, with Aiden Brookes retaining the ride.
Sparkle In His Eye put in a rare below par run at Thirsk last time, with the very fast going being the likely reason for the run. His previous two starts since returning from a nine months break, have suggested that he is as good as ever. He runs at 9.0.pm, in a 0-65 handicap over seven furlongs, with his regular rider Aiden Brookes in the saddle.
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Good luck to the connections, Raypasha, John Connor & Partner, John Burnett, Richard Howard & Ben Howard, Nick Pietrzyk And Partner, Anthony Bithell, and Samuel Sutton.
Rory And Me.
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