The Mandarin’s Musselburgh Racecard for 19th April 2025

The Mandarin’s Musselburgh Racecard for Saturday 19th April

Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Royal Mile Handicap 1.50
Wiltshire Lad
It could pay to side with Wiltshire Lad for Musselburgh’s opener, as the Wootton Basset gelding lines up for Andrew Balding for the first time. The retirement of Sir Michael Stoute from Freemason Lodge has given the in-form trainer some nice types going into the Park House Stables, and Wiltshire Lad is just one for owner Saeed Suhail that has made that move. George Boughey’s Invited and Karl Burke’s Castle Stuart both hold claims, but Wiltshire Lad benefits from a preferable higher draw over this trip, so with Oisin Murphy up top gets the vote.

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Silver Arrow Handicap 2.25
Dain Ma Nut In
Lucinda Russell’s Dain Ma Nut In ran on well to nab third place here last Sunday, with veteran stablemate Gweedore just a length ahead, but can go two better to score on Saturday. This Phoenix Of Spain gelding rattled up a hat-trick over a mile at the end of last summer, so that is probably his best trip, but with a decent draw in Stall 9 and the withdrawal of William Haggas’s Waleefy, every chance to capitalise in this valuable contest. Jennie Candlish’s Alzahir has been given a 7lb rise for last week’s Thirsk win, so Charlie Fellowes’s Rockymountainway might prove the main danger. Dain Ma Nut In remains unexposed and can go in under Paul Mulrennan.

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap 3.00
American Affair (nap)
The Sprint Cup Handicap can go to American Affair for Jim Goldie. He won over course and distance on his seasonal reappearance last year, and looks sure to put in a decent run once again, though the draw in Stall 9 does ask a question for this 5 furlong dash. Jm Jungle is always to be noted in these sprints, as are Michael Dods runners, so Tattersall looks the each-way angle, but American Affair can win the Sprint Cup.

Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) 3.35
Wild Waves (nb)
Top weight Aimeric from Karl Burke’s in-form Spigot Lodge yard is sure to get plenty of support, but Andrew Balding’s Wild Waves can see him off. Although down the field in the St Leger when last seen, Wild Waves wasn’t totally outpaced in that Classic, and can come on again as a four year old having been gelded. Oisin Murphy has been notching up the winners, so Wild Waves is preferred over Aimeric and Wise Eagle.

Darley EBF Maiden Stakes 4.10
Ivatt
Charlie Fellowes’s Ivatt showed enough in his one outing at Newmarket last October to get the nod here. The Ghaiyyath progeny are starting to look very, very good at these middle distances, so Ivatt is preferred to the Nathaniel sired pair of Wise Councellor and Amalfina in an interesting Maiden. Ivatt to endorse his Derby entry with a win in this valuable race.

Livescore Bet Fillies’ Handicap 4.45
Zapphire
This Class 3 Handicap doesn’t look the strongest on paper, so Julie Camacho’s Zapphire might be worth a small wager. This Zoffany mare gets her ground here, and should have too much class for Mick & David Easterby’s Reach, with that trainer’s Yorkshire Lady not going to post reducing the quality opposition in this field. Zapphire to score in a race that shouldn’t take too much winning.

Virgin Bet Handicap 5.17
Balon D’or
A tricky little poser for the closer, but Balon D’or could be the answer with Oisin Murphy in the hot seat. That said, it’s not the best of draws widest of all in Stall 12, so Oisin has his work cut out to get a good track position for this 5 furlong sprint. There’s a big advantage to front-runners on this course, especially so over the sharper trips, so Zarzyni, Knicks and Aricebo all have claims, but Oisin Murphy is taken to produce some magic, and get Balon D’or into a winning position. Every chance.

The Mandarin