The £25,000 inaugural Archerfield Cup Class 2 handicap at Musselburgh today has pulled in a competitive field.
Run over 1m 6f, John Quinn’s dual winner O Ma Lad which was last seen out in May when winning the Buttonhook handicap at Hamilton, will face stern opposition from the former top class chaser Noble Alan who represents the Cumbrian stable of Nicky Richards.
Noble Alan, switched to the Flat last summer, ran an eye-catching seventh in the John Smiths Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on his most recent outing, and ridden by the in-form Paul Mulrennan, will be suited by the slightly shorter trip at Musselburgh and appreciate the good going.
Other interesting entries include Between Us from the Newmarket yard of Sir Mark Prescott and Party Line, the pick of a powerful entry from Mark Johnston’s Middleham stable.
Supporting feature will be the Nairn’s Oatcakes Handicap at 3.30 in which finance director Ken McGarrity will be represented by his popular grey Silver Rime who has already scored twice this summer under trainer Linda Perratt.
The weights are headed by the Redcar winner Wannabe King, the mount of promising apprentice Jordan Nason, but David O’Meara can continue his purple patch with another success from the progressive Frog Hollow, an impressive winner of his last race at York.
Thomson Travel Shops sponsor the amateur riders’ handicap at 5.00pm. This keenly contested race sees Iain Jardine’s La Bacouetteuse bidding to follow up his decisive victory at the last Musselburgh fixture. The Bonchester Bridge-trained stayer will be partnered by top amateur Michael Ennis but faces strong opposition from Gucci d’Oro and Golden Future, first and second in a similar race at Musselburgh last week.
Teenager Alex Ferguson retains the ride on his mother’s winner Gucci d’Oro but a 6lbs penalty gives runner up Golden Future a clear chance to reverse the placings. Trained by former top jump jockey Peter Niven, Golden Future will again be ridden by up and coming amateur James Hamilton.
Gates open at noon, first race is at 2pm and last race at 5pm.
For further information and to receive an online booking discount, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
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