UK Horse Racing Tips: Musselburgh

GARDE DES CHAMPS may be a maiden after 10 starts under Rules, but he's been running well in handicaps since returning from wind surgery and the drop into maiden company could help him get off the mark. Quaresome landed a bumper at Roscommon in September and he must enter calculations on his debut for the Donald McCain yard. Artiste D'ainay, who finished third behind exciting Ballymore winner Impaire Et Passe (albeit beaten 23 lengths) at Naas in December, demands the utmost respect too.
Prediction : 1st Garde Des Champs 2nd Quaresome 3rd Artiste Dainay

LONE STAR proved she was still ahead of the handicapper when being eased down to win over C&D 23 days ago, and a further 10lb rise might not be enough to stop Philip Kirby's mare from completing the four-timer. Maimie's Magic appears to be equally as progressive after victories at Kelso and Newcastle, and she must be feared as she bids to maintain her unbeaten record in handicaps. Others to note include Ravenscar and Latino Fling.
Prediction : 1st Lone Star 2nd Maimies Magic 3rd Ravenscar

In what appears to be a wide-open contest, only a tentative vote can go to RING OF BEARA. Tim Easterby's juvenile ran well behind Sarsons Risk at Doncaster and the winner was still in contention when subsequently coming down in the Adonis. Given that Ring Of Beara achieved a peak rating of 93 on the Flat, an opening NH mark of 104 ought to be more than manageable. Pretending and Cianciana remain in good form and must be considered, along with Freddy Robinson, who meets his recent Kelso conqueror Planet Legend on considerably better terms.
Prediction : 1st Ring Of Beara 2nd Pretending 3rd Cianciana

CROSSING THE BAR returned to form with a victory at Plumpton on his latest outing and a repeat of that performance would make him a tough nut to crack, despite giving weight to all of his rivals. You Some Boy appeared to benefit from a sounder surface when successful at Ayr earlier this month and he commands plenty of respect along with Lock Down Luke and Red Missile.
Prediction : 1st Crossing The Bar 2nd You Some Boy 3rd Lock Down Luke

Russian Virtue is on a four-timer over hurdles and arrives on the back of a recent success on the Flat at Newcastle. His last victory over timber came at Sedgefield in January and he is expected to be in the mix off a 7lb higher mark. Ivetwiggedit hasn't looked back since joining Tom Lacey and moving into handicap company, completing a quickfire treble under Cameron Iles, and has to enter calculations, but the vote goes to WELL EDUCATED. George Bewley's seven-year-old was in excellent form last autumn and returned from a break with a creditable effort against stronger opposition at Kelso. Dropped 1lb, he is entitled to step forward and prove capable of further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Well Educated 2nd Russian Virtue 3rd Ivetwiggedit

WHITE RHINO hasn't looked back since entering handicaps, with three wins to his name in the last couple of months, and a 7lb penalty for his comfortable success at Southwell on Monday is unlikely to prevent another bold bid. Shir I Dont Know proved a different proposition when winning on his handicap bow over 2m at Ayr and he's feared most on this rise in distance, although Ballyporeen may benefit from the drop in trip on his debut for the Donald McCain team.
Prediction : 1st White Rhino 2nd Shir I Dont Know 3rd Ballyporeen

TOUCH OF A DRAGON ran a race full of promise when staying on into fourth (promoted to third) on her introduction at Ayr and with the second subsequently romping home at Southwell on Monday, Micky Hammond's filly looks the one to beat. Of Course You Can can't be taken lightly after a fine runner-up effort on debut at Huntingdon, with El Elefante, who was second on her sole start between the flags in Ireland, making most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Touch Of A Dragon 2nd Of Course You Can 3rd El Elefante