Horse Racing: Jim ready to strike Gold

SCOTTISH trainer Jim Goldie has been out of luck so far this season at Musselburgh but his fortunes can change there with a double tomorrow.

Based at Uplawmoor, near Glasgow, "Big Jim" has a ten per cent strike rate on the East Lothian track in the past five summer campaigns but, so far, has drawn a blank with his 15 runners there to date this time round.

However, both Barraland and Tillietudlem look well handicapped and the former can initiate the double in the Racing UK Handicap (4.40pm) over the minimum five furlongs. The gelding cost 105,000 guineas as a youngster and is closely related to six previous winners. He himself won three times when trained by former soccer star Mick Channon – including when scoring over this course and distance just over two years ago. He joined Goldie at the end of his 2008 campaign and ran only twice for the Glasgow handler last summer – finishing unplaced on this track and at Ayr – and has been absent for 11 months.

The five-year-old wasn't injured but was a poor eater and he simply took a long time to settle down in his new surroundings. However, Goldie is a past master at rejuvenating this type of animal and it is significant that he has waited so long for the gelding to show signs of a revival. The handicapper has dropped him 4lbs after that 332-day absence, so that he now runs off a mark 7lbs lower that for his last success and, if Goldie has got him back to anything like good shape, he appeals as a decent wager

Tillietudlem has failed to win on the level so far but has been placed several times and has three victories over hurdles to his credit. The latest of those came when he made all the running to land a decent prize at the Scottish National meeting at Ayr last month so he clearly has plenty of ability.

The grey's best effort on the flat came when he was third over a mile and three quarters at Redcar last August and he tackles that same trip off a low weight in the TurfTV.co.uk Apprentice Handicap (5.10pm).

Fairy Shoes has shown plenty of promise in two races so far and can lose her maiden tag in the TurfTV Maiden Stakes (4.10pm).

Richard Fahey's filly was beaten in a photo finish on her debut at Pontefract last month and then failed to justify favouritism when only fifth on the all-weather surface at Kempton where she weakened inside the final furlong.

She is a half sister to three smart sprinters in Corrybrough, Artie and Kingscross so the drop to the minimum trip should suit this time.

Calypso Magic can make a successful debut in the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes (3.10pm). A 70,000 guinea yearling, he is closely related to at least one smart sprinter and this yard often produce a decent juvenile.

Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections: 3.10: Calypso Magic; 4.10: Fairy Shoes; 4.40: Barraland; 5.10: Tillietudlem