Rare Musselburgh runners this season on Friday

Musselburgh bring down the curtain on their 2018-19 National Hunt season on Friday, which coincides with the first runners of the season at the track from Dodlands. We've a couple - handicap hurdler Side of the Road and bumper mare Danced Every Dance.

So, first up for the stable in the 0-100 2m hurdle at 2.30 is Side of the Road. At a modest level, our Beneficial mare ran quite well when dropped back to 2 miles for the first time in a wee while when 4th at Ayr last month. She usually travels and jumps well, but does need to finish off her races better so it's with hope rather than confidence that we head to East Lothian.
There does seem to be several in the race who like to go forward, so we'll develop tactics as the race unfolds................

Danced Every Dance makes her third appearance in a National Hunt Flat race in the closer at 5.15. She was 3rd at Sedgefield in December, although well adrift of the winner. However, the second horse won at Sedgefield last week , and the winner herself followed up with a creditable 2nd under a penalty.
Owner-breeder Robert Robinson's Colorado Gold ran well for a long way when 5th on stable debut for Daragh Bourke at Carlisle last month, and could well take a hand in the finish with normal improvement.
That Carlisle race also saw the Rules debut of Mrs Davies, but she was keen for a long way off a slow pace. She had been formerly placed in an Irish Point and more will be expected here.
Probably the best form to date has been shown by Lucinda's Methodtothemadness who was a close up 3rd in a Doncaster bumper in January. She also has experience in Irish Points.

Of the newcomers, by far the most eye-catching is Tannadice Park who is a 4yr old daughter of Shirocco out of a quite useful mare who raced for Henry de Bromhead. We remember seeing this filly at Doncaster Sales three year ago when she made £5,000. Noted then as rangy, with a good walk so it'll be interesting to see how she has developed in the intervening period. Jim Goldie can ready a filly for these types of races, so she could be the 'springer' in the market.

This bumper could be a close run affair, and Danced Every Dance will be suited by an even paced race. Given that, she has a reasonable chance of reaching the frame.

Craig Nichol takes both rides for us again, and we trust all connections enjoy the day at the races.

Side of the Road tracked by Danced Every Dance