Hercules has the power to go from Pillar to post for Murphy

A 400,000 guineas purchase as a youngster, he won on the level for Henry Cecil before transferring to Ireland where he scored twice over hurdles when trained by Pat Hughes.

The gelding joined current handler Ferdy Murphy last year and cut little ice for the Yorkshire stable in three appearances last summer, but showed much more of his old ability in two outings at Kelso last spring and on his reappearance there in October.

Now a six-year-old, he has slid 23lb down the ratings since coming from Ireland and looked all set to score when cruising up behind the leaders on the home turn here last week. He duly went ahead approaching the final flight, but failed to hold the challenge of a well handicapped and progressive rival, going down by a length and a half.

The handicapper has reacted to that effort by raising him 5lb, so Murphy will be keen to win tomorrow in the Jeden Business Flooring Handicap Hurdle (2.25pm) before that new handicap mark kicks in on Saturday.

Almutaham is another who was an expensive youngster, being bought in the United States for $260,000, but he made no show in two runs on the flat when trained by John Dunlop for Sheikh Hamdan last year and duly went to the sales. The three-year-old again ran well when fourth in a competitive affair at Aintree recently and can open his winning account in the Saltire 2010 Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (12.40pm).

Marlborough Sound has managed just ten outings in six years, but he has won three times and can add another victory in the Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Conditional Jockeys handicap Hurdle (12.10). The gelding won easily at Towcester in May and was runner-up when favourite at Market Rasen the following month and although he has not been seen since then.

Howard Johnson has a good record on the seaside track and can saddle Kosta Brava to win the Clarkson Hill Group St Andrews Handicap Chase (2.55pm).

The six-year-old made no mistake when opening his account over the larger obstacles at Kelso last month. He subsequently went down by only a short head on a return visit to the Border venue and can surely go one better tomorrow.

Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections: 12.10 Marlborough Sound; 12.40 Almutaham; 2.25 Pillar of Hercules; 2.55 Kosta Brava