Horse Racing: Red Kestrel good for in-form team

Published on Wednesday 30 March 2011 11:25

Kevin RYAN and his new stable jockey Phillip Makin have immediately struck up a successful partnership and can land a double when Musselburgh open their new flat campaign tomorrow.

No less than 19 of Makin's 20 winners since Hogmanay have been for his new boss and Red Kestrel can provide the combination with another success in the BDO Classified Selling Stakes (2.50pm).

The six-year-old began his career with Godolphin and has been runner-up in three of his last four races, ending last term with a second place here and at Wolverhampton and he was having his first run for four months when runner-up at Wolverhampton recently. The gelding made much of the running before being headed entering the final furlong and the drop back in trip tomorrow should be in his favour.

Oldjoesaid has not won for almost three years, but has plummeted down the ratings and faces his easiest task for a long while in the Core Oil & Gas Handicap (3.20pm). The gelding landed four prizes when trained by Henry Candy and was rated over 100 at one stage, but was sold for 40,000 guineas some 18 months ago and joined Ryan's Yorkshire stable. A fourth place at York last spring is the best he has achieved for his current handler from 11 starts, but he now races off a mark of 79 - the lowest of his career. He has a good draw too, near the favoured stands rail.

Prince Apollo can justify the long trek from Newmarket by winning the Peter Dowell is almost 50 Handicap (4.20pm) for trainer Gerard Butler.

The six-year-old began life in France where he won twice for Prince Khalled Abdulla and trainer Andre Fabre but he disappointed last season for Ian Williams and although he ended last term by finishing third in a decent handicap at Newmarket, he was sold for just 5500 guineas the following month.

But he made a great start for his present connections on his reappearance at Lingfield recently where he was sent off favourite and overcame all sorts of trouble in running before getting up close home to triumph in a photo finish.

Neil Callan was on board then and it is worth noting that he travels over the Border for just two rides for Gerard Butler and they can also take the TURFTV Maiden Stakes (4.50pm) with Rainy Champion.

Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections: 2.50 Red Kestrel; 3.20 Oldjoesaid; 4.20 Prince Apollo; 4.50 Rainy Champion.