Betting expert Dave Nevison makes a case for three contenders running at Musselburgh on Friday, as Ladbrokes Go North Weekend with some interesting and highly-competitive action. 2.50 Musselburgh: Quian
Quian has clearly been revitalised by the move from Fergal O’Brien to Lizzie Quinlan and did us a favour when winning at Catterick recently.
He lost his form for his former yard but dropped to a very lowly mark as a result, and even though he has won his past two starts, he is still 4lb below the mark he won off in 2023.
A wind operation and a new combination of headgear are other factors that may well have contributed to the return to form, but whatever the reasons, the nine-year-old looks worth sticking with, especially at a track like Musselburgh that suits his front-running style.
3.50 Musselburgh: Rockola Vogue
Represents a yard that has had three winners from their past five runners, and her team like to send horses up to Scotland. She is the right favourite for the Racing Post Go North Lady Buttons Mares' Hurdle Series Final.
Rockola Vogue gets a handy amount of weight from her main market rival, and has been running consistently well all season, including when scoring at Hexham under Kielan Woods, who rides her here.
She returned from a midwinter break to finish a good second at Wetherby in February and should be spot on for this. With only four starts over hurdles to her name so far, I expect her to improve and defy a 5lb higher mark than last time.
4.25 Musselburgh: Uokhun
Tim Easterby’s mare is not the only horse to have run very well for excellent claimer William Maggs recently, and she certainly appreciated the longest trip she has ever raced over when winning at Hexham last time out.
That was in a Conditional Jockeys' event, and she doesn’t have a penalty here, but Maggs is able to claim his 5lb allowance, which obviously puts her very well in for this race.
She faced a similar field last time out, so a competitive event shouldn’t phase Uokhun, and she certainly looks a value proposition at the 7-1 on offer.