Horse racing: Shubaat shows his class in Musselburgh Gold Cup

The 3-1 shot finished ahead of Pittodrie Star (16-1) and the 11-4 favourite Lexington Bay to scoop the showpiece race on day two of the East Lothian track’s Easter Flat racing weekend.

The Jim Goldie-trained Go Go Green, at 8-1, proved to be the longest odds winner of the day.

Across the Irish Sea yesterday Peter Casey’s Flemenstar routed the opposition in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

In what looked his sternest test to date Flemenstar jumped superbly to beat Rathlin by 11 lengths. So impressive was the winner that he is now as low as 8-1 for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe he’s that good, I’m delighted with him,” said Casey. “I want to thank the sponsors and also the people who look after the track here, they’ve done a great job.

“They said he wanted soft ground but we thought it made no difference, he went on good ground here last year over hurdles. My son has been over to keep an eye on the ground two or three times this week and we were happy.

“He’s won so much now and is so valuable you don’t want anything to happen. He’s been nearly sold two or three times but I’m delighted he wasn’t.

“My son said to me he would destroy them and he did.”

Kevin Ryan has made his usual fast start to the new season and his Discression looks a winner waiting to happen in the second division of the Call 08000 521321 For All Aintree Prices Maiden Stakes at Warwick today.

Quietly fancied for his debut at York in June, he ran a blinder when beaten only by Swiss Spirit and for a long time he travelled better than the eventual winner.

Given David Elsworth’s youngster then ran respectably in the Mill Reef and finished third in the Rockingham, it wasn’t a bad debut. He also had the benefit of a previous run over Discression.

With that in mind it was a little disappointing the selection was beaten on his second start on his return to York by Richard Fahey’s Lady’s First, who has since boosted the form.

Both those races were over six furlongs but a winter on his back should mean an extra furlong is no trouble at all.

The ratings suggest the six-runner Follow Us On Twitter At starsports_bet Conditions Stakes is a two-horse affair as New Planet and Mac’s Power are so far clear.

However, New Planet still has questions to answer after a good juvenile campaign and should be watched before he proves he has retained all the ability he promised at two. While Mac’s Power has shown top-class handicap form he needs a fast pace to be seen at his best and that is not guaranteed in such a small field.

With that in mind a chance is taken on David Evans’ Bathwick Bear, winner of Ripon’s Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy in 2010.

Last year, like so many sprinting three-year-olds, he found life tough, and he had 17 races.

He did show when second to Mister Manannan at Leicester and Royal Rock at Yarmouth that he was no back number. So while he is only rated 88 now, he began last season off 101 and might just get the run of the race.

Mahmood Al Zarooni enjoyed a great Dubai Carnival and it is still a bit early to say if his English-based team are in similar heart. However, Periphery was beaten by the narrowest of margins on one run at two and must take the beating in the Burlington Palm Hotel Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth. Frankie Dettori makes the trip.