AFTER bagging his first Group 1 success on Friday, PJ McDonald has his eye on one of the feature races at Musselburgh today wearing the same colours.
Having landed Newmarket’s Fillies’ Mile on Laurens, the in-form jockey rides again for his principal owner John Dance aboard Von Blucher in the 100% Racing UK Profits Back To Racing Handicap.
A winner of the Scottish Grand National ten years ago on Hot Weld during his time over jumps, McDonald is enjoying by far his best ever season since switching his attention to the Flat.
Ex-John Gosden-trained Von Blucher, who only joined Rebecca Menzies in the spring, faces eleven rivals in the 7f event including hat-trick seeking Big Tour, a rare runner at the East Lothian venue for Saeed Bin Suroor.
The Newmarket trainer is two from seven with his course runners in the past five years.
Michael Dods is a much more regular Musselburgh visitor although his six-time winner Get Knotted will be making his first appearance at the track.
Graham Lee, also a previous Scottish National-winning jockey, partners Alpha Delphini, the top-rated of five declared for the Breeders Backing Racing EBF Flying Scotsman Conditions Stakes, the other £20,000 contest on an eight-race card.
The curtain comes down on another Scottish Flat campaign with the Racing UK Now In HD! Amateur Riders’ Handicap.
A one-two for Donald McCain’s teenage daughters Abby and Ella is not out of the question as they ride fancied pair Chebsey Beau and Tawseef respectively.
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