MUSSELBURGH’S decision to extend the Scottish Cheltenham Trials over a weekend appears to have paid off with more than 75 entries for today’s high-class eight-race card, writes Martin Hannan.
The East Lothian racecourse’s chief executive Bill Farnsworth said: “We’ve had excellent support from trainers and owners and I am sure that will be reciprocated by an excellent crowd on both days.”
This cracker of a jumps meeting sees the inaugural running today at 2.05pm of the bet365 Edinburgh National over a stamina-sapping 4m 1f.
The longest race ever run at Musselburgh, the £40,000 prize pot has attracted has 13 runners and is viewed as a trial for the Grand National.
Paul Nicholls saddles top weight Just A Par while Fergal O’Brien’s Alvarado stays all day and was runner-up in last year’s Scottish National as well as coming fourth in the 2014 and 2015 Aintree equivalent. He will have the valuable assistance of Paddy Brennan in the saddle.
Both horses, along with Jennie Candlish’s Beeves, are potential runners in the Aintree Grand National.
Scottish trainer Iain Jardine has his eye on the feature on day one for the second year running.
Twelve months ago the Carrutherstown trainer landed the bet 365 Scottish County Hurdle with Shrewd – this afternoon he’s targeting Traditional Dancer at the £50,000 prize.
Jardine said: “He ran a big race when a close third to a Cheltenham festival winner in Superb Story over course and distance on New Year’s Day. He’s won at Carlisle, Kelso and Perth so it doesn’t matter if he goes right or left-handed. He’s a proper National Hunt horse.”
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