Feature race at Musselburgh’s Carnival Race Night fixture tonight is the £12,000 BlackRock EBF Conditions Stakes, one of three qualifying races for the Betfair Bonus Scottish Racing Series finals in September.

Course specialist Bryan Smart will be fancied to maintain his lucrative strike rate at Musselburgh with Excelette, a speedy filly which broke her maiden tag at Chester 11 days ago in the hands of Royston Ffrench, who retains the ride.

Excelette will be hard to beat but the value lies with the well drawn Class Monitor. The Elaine Burke trained juvenile created a big impression when scoring in decisive style on his racecourse debut at Beverley and the Middleham trainer has her team in peak form.

Racing gets underway at 6.00 with the BlackRock Amateur Riders Handicap. Leading amateur Simon Walker teams up with Keith Dalgleish’s recent dual winner Jewelled Dagger, but this confirmed front runner will be pressed for the lead by Oddsmaker.

The pair may well set the race up for Jim Goldie’s Toshi who likes to come late and will be partnered by the experienced Carol Bartley. Toshi returned to winning form over hurdles at Perth last time out and is back to a nice mark.

The locally owned Argentine will be a popular choice for the 5f BlackRock Handicap at 8.45. Trained near Haddington by George Foster, Argentine has not won for two seasons but the Foster horses have now struck winning form and Argentine caught the eye with a strong finishing second at Hamilton on his latest appearance.

Adding to the carnival atmosphere, there will be large fairground rides, trampolines, a roundabout, face painters, stilt walkers and a tattooist, with Radio Forth’s Roadshow providing pre and post race entertainment.

Gates open at 4pm, the first race is at 6pm and the last race is at 9.15pm, with music continuing until 10pm

Musselburgh Racecourse commercial manager, Sarah Montgomery, said: “At the height of the holiday season a Friday evening at the races is an excellent way to kick-start the weekend and our carnival night should appeal to locals and holidaymakers alike.

“We have a competitive card with seven races, a good selection of entertainment for all ages, and weather permitting we should get a decent turnout.”

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