THE feature on Musselburgh's six-race evening card, the Good Luck Claire Handicap (8.25pm), provides Stellite with a good opportunity to gain a third course and distance success of the season.
The eight-year-old lost his unbeaten record for the year when second to Sunnyside Tom over a mile here at the start of the month but that form received a boost when Sunnyside Tom went in again here next time and Stellite still looks well handicapped
despite a further 3lb rise in the weights.
The drop back to seven furlongs this evening is also in the Jim Goldie-trained gelding's favour, his seven career wins all having come at around that trip.
Another who has enjoyed Musselburgh success over the years is Raccoon and he can land another win in the NCB Stockbrokers Handicap (7.25pm).
The Peter Savill-owned gelding is no longer capable of anything like the level of form which saw him land the Scottish Sprint Cup here four years ago but has dropped to a very favourable mark now, and recent efforts suggest this speedy front-runner is ready to strike.
On his latest outing at Thirsk, Raccoon was a good third of eighteen to Toy Top, faring easily best of those who raced on the far side of the course.
Toy Top re-opposes tonight but a 9lb swing in the weights can see Raccoon turn the tables, while Raccoon's jockey Neil Callan can notch a further success on Mintoe in the Macmillan Cancer Support/E.B.F Maiden (7.55pm).
This son of Noverre made an encouraging debut when fifth of twelve to Wildcat Wizard over six furlongs at York earlier in the month, racing up with the pace for a long way before fading, leaving the firm impression he'll come on for the run.
This contest looks weaker and Kevin Ryan's juvenile should take a lot of stopping, the speed he showed at York suggesting the drop to five furlongs this evening won't inconvenience him in the slightest.
Mark Brisbourne hasn't been sending out winners with his usual regularity in recent months, but five seconds in the last ten days suggests the stable is starting to turn the corner and Merrymaker can make the long journey from Brisbourne's Shropshire base worthwhile by taking the opening Bollinger Champagne Challenge Series Handicap (6.55). The eight-year-old is well handicapped on the form he showed when winning twice on Wolverhampton's polytrack surface last November and his latest fifth to Rock'N'Roller at Pontefract, over a trip which almost certainly stretched his stamina, was definitely a step in the right direction and the sharp two miles here should be more in his favour.
The level of jockeyship can also be vital in these amateur races and the fact that Brisbourne's son Ben, who takes the ride, has more experience than most is another plus.
Joe Rowntree's Musselburgh selections: 6.55 Merrymaker; 7.25 Raccoon; 7.55 Mintoe; 8.25 Stellite.
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