UK Horse Racing Tips: Musselburgh

The Road Home and Eagle Ridge are closely matched on last month's Kelso clash and both have their chance here. The latter has undergone wind surgery since so that could bring about enough improvement to reverse the form, but he may have to play second fiddle to OLD JEWRY. Daragh Bourke's charge lines up off the same mark as when a length third over hurdles at Carlisle recently and, with just one previous chase outing under his belt, he remains open to plenty of improvement.
Prediction : 1st Old Jewry 2nd Eagle Ridge 3rd The Road Home

QUART DE GARDE still held every chance when slipping up on the home turn at Catterick and, without such incident this time, he could prove a tough nut to crack. Having said that, Ask Henry is rated 1lb above Donald McCain's charge and has improved on each of his three starts since swapping Ireland for England. He posted a solid effort at Doncaster last time and is the obvious danger, with Sister Midnight booked for third.
Prediction : 1st Quart De Garde 2nd Ask Henry 3rd Sister Midnight

FIRST ACCOUNT has an unexposed, progressive profile and looks the most likely winner of this competitive handicap. He comfortably defied skinny odds over fences here last time and makes plenty of appeal switching back to hurdles off the same mark (due to go up 6lb in the near future). Island Heights has solid form claims but hasn't been seen since December 2018, so the bigger danger might be Buckled, who bolted up over the larger obstacles here 40 days ago. Trongate and Jennys Day are other names to note.
Prediction : 1st First Account 2nd Buckled 3rd Island Heights

IZZY'S CHAMPION proved too strong for the opposition when clearly benefiting from wind surgery at the track last month, and there could be more to come with the six-year-old stepping up to 3m for the first time. Definite Wisdom improved on his chasing debut when second at Wetherby in December and is capable of going close along with Bobmahley, who shaped as though the step up in trip would play to his strengths on his latest hurdles outing at Taunton.
Prediction : 1st Izzys Champion 2nd Definite Wisdom 3rd Bobmahley

ROYAL COSMIC was fancied to give a solid account on her handicap debut here at the start of the month until a stumble after the fourth last ended any chance she had. The time before had seen her get the better of Smart Lass at this course in novice company and Richard Fahey's mare is capable of making amends. The aforementioned Smart Lass is respected despite not running to her best in a jumpers' bumper at Newcastle recently, while Blooriedotcom can also go well.
Prediction : 1st Royal Cosmic 2nd Smart Lass 3rd Blooriedotcom

LORD SCOUNDREL was a decent handicap chaser for Gordon Elliott, winning the Galway Plate at his peak back in 2016, and made a winning start for Graeme McPherson in a point-to-point at Cottenham earlier in the month. The 11-year-old receives weight from recent Wincanton scorer Virak and is taken to prove too strong for Rose Loxton's gelding, while Nine Altars could prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Lord Scoundrel 2nd Virak 3rd Nine Altars

SUMMER LIGHTENING has gone up 11lb for winning her last two starts at Catterick and the six-year-old doesn't appear finished in regards to her improvement. The step back up in trip on a speed track is unlikely to pose any concerns and she gets the vote ahead of Pammi, who has the assistance of Brian Hughes in the saddle, and Gemologist on her second outing since wind surgery.
Prediction : 1st Summer Lightening 2nd Pammi 3rd Gemologist