Fremen chasing a nap hand at Musselburgh

FREMEN has made the winner's enclosure at Musselburgh his second home over the years, and the prolific Dandy Nicholls runner heads north again today looking for his fifth success at the course, and his fifth win in a row in a flawless 2010 season.

Fremen, still a force at the age of 10, carries top weight in the Scottish Racing Your Better Bet Selling Stakes but will be strongly fancied to complete his nap hand at the main expense of Rowan Lodge.

Ollie Pears' consistent plater was doing all his best work in the finish when a close fourth behind subsequent winner Dabbers Ridge at Beverley.

Jonny Lesters Hair made an encouraging return when second over course and distance last month and has a great opportunity of going one place better in the Scottish Racing Handicap.

Musselburgh, which began its Flat season last month, is gearing up for an exceptionally busy period in the weeks ahead, with Ladies Day and the Edinburgh Cup raceday next month, and an evening fixture this Friday.

Elsewhere, Richard Hannon was moved to tears after Paco Boy's Lockinge triumph over the weekend, and while Royal Exchange is unlikely to provoke the same kind of emotion, he nevertheless holds a winning chance at Nottingham.

Owned by the Queen, the Royal Applause colt enjoyed a distinguished racecourse debut over the minimum trip at Newbury. Hannon's sprinter got to within a head of Klammer, who won at Newmarket on Saturday and is bound for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The form from that maiden was also given a timely boost as third home, Shafgaan, has since shaped with credit at Chester, while the fourth, Memen, has come out and won.

Bred for farther in the fullness of time, Royal Exchange is a confident selection.

Hudoo can deny Wulfrida and Babycakes to land the nap in the Racing UK On Channel 432 Fillies' Handicap. Frequency has twice been turned over at skimpy odds, but those who keep the faith can be rewarded in the Weatherbys bettrends.co.uk Maiden Stakes.

Costly reverses at Lingfield and Thirsk will have given connections much to think about – hence the decision to drop down to an extended five furlongs.

The Starcraft colt has shown plenty of zip in his four races to date, however, so it could emerge a sage manoeuvre.

Ancient Cross excelled on his last start at Catterick and can make a rousing return in the Betfair Handicap at Carlisle.

Mick Easterby's six-year-old has enough class to clinically offset a 7lb rise – even though this will be his first outing for 213 days.

Ruby Crown can save the best until last at Towcester. Kim Bailey's eight-year-old was just denied over course and distance a couple of weeks ago, but should make no mistake in the concluding gg.com Conditional Jockeys' Mares' Handicap Hurdle. He is already a winner over Towcester's two miles and looks the solution to this moderate event.

At Bath yesterday, Marcus Tregoning was reunited with his Derby-winning owners as Victoria and Anthony Pakenham's Lady Hestia struck in the Lindley Catering Fillies' Handicap.

The couple still have a handful of horses with Tregoning four years on from Sir Percy's Epsom success, and Lady Hestia is developing a winning habit over staying trips.

The recent Doncaster scorer enjoyed the benefit of market rival On Terms being withdrawn at the start.

Golden Rock and Home Advantage knocked their rivals for six in the FMW Consultant Handicap and Imperial Windows & Conservatories Ltd Handicap respectively.