Racecards
14:50 Musselburgh
Archerfield Links Handicap (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 6f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 282-660
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R Ffrench
towards rear, ridden 5f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 5743-60
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
in touch, steady headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not quicken
- Form 21611/0-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P Mulrennan
swerved left start, in rear, ridden 6f out, lost place over 4f out
- Form 5/05085-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey F Lynch
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 004/11-1
- Age 11
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 79
made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on gamely
- Form 821011
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Greg Fairley
pushed along to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
- Form 258-707
- Age 6
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey T Hamilton
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 49473-7
- Age 5
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey Saleem Golam
chased winner, lost place over 1f out
In depth
Verdict
McEldowney would have obvious claims if reproducing his latest winning form at Catterick but Mark Johnston's gelding does not seem to be the most consistent of performers and a better bet looks to be Silvertown, who is preferred to Escayola. The selection is fully exposed at the age of 11 but showed that he was still capable in this grade when landing a course and distance handicap under similar conditions last month. A 6lb rise for that success is perfectly fair and Len Lungo's gelding is taken to follow up. Howard Johnson's Regal Setting ran better over hurdles last time and could be of interest if putting his best foot forward, while Hiddensee was well held in the Chester Cup and is probably best watched now. Escayola would have claims on his best form and has to be considered, if fit enough, but a safer bet looks to be Silvertown who is taken to win again.
Formwatch
Hiddensee (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 22l behind Admiral (8-1) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf in May.
Most Definitely (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 24l behind Millville (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcap (3) gs in May.
Regal Setting (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out and weakened final furlong, 10th of 15, 7l behind Idealistic (10-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Escayola (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 13l behind Garden Society (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Silvertown 11-4 (9-10) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May beating Reluctant Suitor (9-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
McEldowney 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, quickened to lead over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May beating Charlotte Vale (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ski Jump (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 15, 26l behind Sphinx (8-3) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
Sand And Stars (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon chased leader until weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 16l behind Desert Island Disc (8-1) at Bath 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf in May.