Musselburgh adds an extra race on Friday

The maiden hurdle at Friday’s Musselburgh meeting has been divided with Division One now being timed for 12.40pm.

Cumbrian trainer Nicky Richards has a consistent strike rate at the East Lothian venue and his Scarlet Fire will be fancied to take the opener. Successful in a competitive bumper at Newcastle last Spring, Scarlet Fire ran an encouraging fourth behind Buthelezi in a better contest at Aintree last month and he will be hard to beat.

The 32Red.com Beginners’ Chase at 2.10PM sees Los Nadis returning to the bigger obstacles. Jim Goldie trains the gelding for Dunblane-based Ian Dalgleish and this Musselburgh specialist, who scored over hurdles in heavy ground at Ayr in November, will appreciate the return to chasing. Rudemeister, trained by Andrew Parker near Lockerbie, is an interesting chasing newcomer with the in-form Richie McGrath in the saddle.

Feature race at Musselburgh is the £12,000 Scottish Racing Kilmany Cup, (3.10pm) named after the family who have been staunch supporters of Scottish jump racing over the past 50 years. Lucy Alexander proved too sharp for champion jockey Tony McCoy when driving out Isla Pearl Fisher to success over course and distance in December. Isla Pearl Fisher remains on a handy mark and is fancied to repeat her course victory, but chief danger could be posed by Allanard. Trained at Martin Todhunter’s Cumbrian stable, Allanard goes well fresh and returns after a two month break.

Gates open at 11am, online discounts are available when booking in advance, and children aged 17 and under are admitted free with an adult. For more information visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk