🏇 Musselburgh 7f Alan Steel For Investments Handicap (Class 6, 4yo+ 0-60) 3:30
📍 Going: Good | Stalls: Inside
🏆 Main selection: Purple Martini (Kaiya Fraser / Ben Haslam) 10/3 (1.5pt win)
Purple Martini looks ready to strike again. A recent C&D winner who followed up with a strong third last time, she benefits from ideal conditions here: same trip, same type of race, and Kaiya Fraser claiming 5lb again. She’s tactically sharp, can sit handy or track the pace, and has solid RPRs (71) that match or beat most rivals. From a mark of 56, she still has room to manoeuvre in this company.
✅ In-form mare with recent win and place
✅ Proven at the course and distance
✅ Excellent tactical speed – key at Musselburgh
✅ Well-handicapped with useful apprentice claim
👀 Alternative: Keep Me Stable (David Allan / Linda Perratt)
Landed a similar C&D handicap just 24 days ago and has been running consistently well. A straightforward type who could go close again if allowed to dictate or track a steady gallop.
📓 Tactical Notebook Note:
In 7f Class 6 handicaps at Musselburgh on good ground with inside stalls, horses with recent form, C&D credentials, and tactical pace often outperform the market. Apprentice claims – especially from in-form riders – can make a decisive difference, especially when carrying top weights.
🏇 Musselburgh 1m1f Alan Steel For Retirement Planning Handicap (Class 6, 4yo+ 0-65) 4:00
📍 Going: Good | Stalls: Inside
🏆 Main selection: Jewel Maker (David Allan / Tim Easterby) 4/1 1pt win
Jewel Maker showed signs of life last time at Redcar, running on from the rear despite meeting trouble in running. He’s now dropped to an OR of 61 – well below marks of 67+ from which he was competitive last year. He’s tactically adaptable, handles good ground, and is drawn in stall 4, which is ideal for saving ground at Musselburgh. With David Allan back on board, he looks set to run a big race.
✅ Handicapped to win again (OR 61)
✅ Experienced, strong traveller with staying power
✅ Proven on good ground and competitive in Class 6
✅ Positive jockey switch and favourable draw
👀 Alternative: Sibyl Charm (David Nolan / Iain Jardine)
Consistent mare who’s placed on five of her last six runs, and now returns to 1m1f – which could suit her closing style even better. She’s running off a workable mark (63) and represents a local stable in form.
📓 Tactical Notebook Note:
In 1m+ handicaps at Musselburgh, track position and ground-saving rides from low-to-middle stalls tend to be rewarded. Horses who can travel smoothly and finish off steadily – especially when dropped in from good draws – often outperform in this type of race.
🏇 Musselburgh 5f Alan Steel For Inheritance Tax Advice Handicap (Class 6, 3yo+, 0-60) 5:00
📍 Going: Good | Stalls: Inside
🏆 Main selection: Startling (David Nolan / David O’Meara) 8/1 1pt e/w (3 places)
Startling drops into Class 6 for the first time, having posted consistent efforts in slightly better company on the AW. She has placed form over 5f, tactical gate speed, and should appreciate this return to turf with a favourable draw in stall 6. With an official rating of 60, she sits at the top of the weights but might be better than this grade suggests.
✅ Consistent 3yo with upside in handicaps
✅ Handles 5f well and has tactical pace
✅ Drops to Class 6 for the first time
✅ Respected yard with a good record in these setups
👀 Alternative: Wee Mary (Oisin Orr / Rebecca Menzies)
She’s been knocking on the door with four consecutive runner-up efforts, all over 5f in similar company. Solid and reliable, but she may lack the same tactical turn of foot as the selection in a well-run race.
📓 Tactical Notebook Note:
In 5f handicaps with Inside stalls and Good ground, tactical speed is often decisive – especially for 3yo or progressive profiles with solid recent RPRs. Horses drawn in mid-low stalls who can sit prominently without burning early tend to dominate.
That wraps up our value selections for today’s Musselburgh card. But don’t go anywhere – later today we’ll be publishing our full runner-by-runner breakdown of the 2025 Coral-Eclipse, including three confident picks for one of the most prestigious races of the summer. 🏆🐎
If you don’t want to miss out on in-depth previews, tactical insights, and winning betting angles every week, the best thing you can do is subscribe to InsideThePaddock.co.uk and stay ahead of the game. 📩✅
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