Mason Hindmarsh can repeat success at Musselburgh
The gelding contracted breathing problems due to a fungus infection and almost died, but trainer Karen McLintock produced him fit and well to prevail by the minimum margin in a tight finish here a fortnight ago.
The handicapper has put him up 4lb in the ratings, but useful apprentice George Chaloner nullifies that rise with his 7lb claim and Mason Hindmarsh should have benefited from that recent effort while he is still a couple of pounds below the level at which he won at Newcastle last year.
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Hide AdAll four of the five-year-olds victories have come at this time of the year and although he tackles a slightly shorter trip in the Royal Regiment of Scotland Handicap (1.30), he can follow up.
Former jump jockey David O’Meara has done well since turning to training and Miss Ellany has already landed two prizes for his Yorkshire yard this term. She can add another in the Royal Scots Fillies Handicap (3.35).
The three-year-old showed promise in three runs as a juvenile in Ireland last year and made a successful debut for O’Meara at Beverley in June. That was over seven furlongs and she was then placed at York, Pontefract and Catterick before scoring again at Ripon on her latest appearance in August. That was over ten furlongs but she won’t mind the drop back to a mile tomorrow.
Alnair landed his only success so far when scoring over the minimum trip here in July and can repeat the dose in the Scottish Racing Handicap (5.15) which closes the eight races.
The gelding ended his juvenile season by finishing second at Wolverhampton in December and had a pipe opener on the all-weather there in the spring before overcoming severe traffic problems to score on this track
He has not been disgraced in three efforts since then, particularly when fifth here three weeks ago when he was again denied a clear run. He is well drawn close to the favoured stands rails this time.
Just The Tonic caught my eye when finishing strongly into third place at Beverley earlier this week after a poor start and looks worth support in the Graphic Impressions Colour Printers Handicap (3.00)
That was the first time he has managed to make the frame in nine starts since making a successful reappearance at Thirsk in April he and looks set to recover his best form. He won over a mile of this track just over a year ago.
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Hide AdSelections: 1.30 Mason Hindmarsh; 3.00 Just The Tonic; 3.35 Miss Ellany; 5.15 Alnair
Resurge, meanwhile looks to have been cherry-picked a fine winning opportunity in the totepool Mobile Text Tote To 89660 Handicap at Epsom (3.55), writes Chris Wilson.
Devon handler Stuart Kittow has a really impressive track record at the Surrey venue, a statistic which runs parallel with this seven-year-old gelding. Resurge has won three times over this course and distance and is especially useful when the mud is flying.
His unlucky second on good ground during the St Leger Festival at Doncaster two and a half weeks ago was given added credence by the subsequent exploits of the winner, Black Spirit. Clive Cox’s horse showed up a week later at Newbury to win the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial by a head.