Horse Racing: Goldie gelding can claim success again at Musselburgh

Gordonsville opened his account over hurdles at Musselburgh last month and can follow up on the East Lothian track today.

A tough stayer on the flat, he is something of a course specialist, having registered two of his four victories on the level on this track and has been placed here on numerous occasions.

The eight-year-old has come to the winter game rather late in life, but has had only three starts over hurdles and looks to have plenty of scope at this new discipline. He was third in a novice affair here early last year and finished fifth at Perth in July before surprising trainer Jim Goldie when scoring over two miles here three weeks ago. The gelding needs all of that trip to show his best on the flat but produced a strong run to lead on the run-in and the runner-up has won since then to boost the form.

Gordonsville travelled to Ireland for his latest start on the all-weather circuit at Dundalk ten days ago. He hit the front turning for home, but was caught inside the final furlong to finish a close fourth. The step up to two-and-a-half miles will suit him in the Racing UK handicap Hurdle (2.20pm).

His jockey, Keith Mercer, can initiate a double on Sydney Cove in the urftv Handicap Hurdle (1.50pm). The gelding had not won in 22 starts until Mercer climbed aboard for the first time and they slogged through the mud to score at Hexham early last month. The combination were not disgraced when fifth at Sedgefield off a higher mark and the five-year-old may be on the upgrade.

O Croitaigh was a three-time winner in point to points in Ireland before joining Alan Brown in North Yorkshire and opened his account in this country with a victory at Market Rasen last month. The gelding had earlier failed by a whisker to lead all the way on that same track and, although he disappointed on his latest outing at Newcastle, I reckon the left-handed track may have been his undoing there as he had jumped repeatedly right when tried racing that way at Hexham on an earlier occasion. This sharp right-handed course will suit and he can regain winning ways in the Scottish Racing Novices Handicap Chase (2.50pm).

Gavroche Gaugain goes well for young rider Tony Kelly and they can take the visiteastlothian.org Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase (12.50pm).

Musselburgh selections: 12.50: Gavroche Gaugain; 1.50: Sydney Cove; 2.20: Gordonsville; 2.50: O Crotaigh.