Paul Mulrennan: Makanah my main hope at Musselburgh

I can’t believe that Derby day has come round so quickly - it only feels like yesterday that the Flat season started. However, before we even contemplate the action on the track, we need to start with a few words for Lester Piggott.

As an aspiring jockey, Lester's name was always being mentioned in our household. I’m quite tall and slight, and with a similar build to the great man - you always try to take little snippets. Not that I ever managed to ride like Lester!

When you think of Lester, you compare him to Pele or Muhammad Ali. He’s the best-ever Flat jockey, he’s one of a kind and there’ll never be another like Lester.

Going to prison but looking after yourself physically, and then coming out and riding a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner (Royal Academy) within a week to ten days of returning to the saddle at the age of 54 testifies the mental toughness of a champion. He was a superb athlete, and that ride is legendary. Lester, you’ll be greatly missed!

Ravenswing (5.33) is one of three for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. I have a reasonable record for Kevin Ryan, who also saddles the newcomer Romanovich, and this Dark Angel colt cost 180,000gns as a yearling. He was keen to post and upset in the stalls when a beaten favourite at Southwell in February.

Gentle Ellen (6.06) has her first run for a long time in the seven-furlong handicap. She showed a consistent level of form as a juvenile and David and Nicola Barron have their horses in decent shape. She’s got a good pedigree, her half-sister Kynren was useful at up to a mile. I’ll learn more about her here.

Al Zaraqaan (6.41) won at Newcastle in January and looked like he’d go on to better things but hasn’t really progressed. He’s dropping back in trip tonight and has won at Doncaster in the past (novice) so I’m hoping he’ll be able to out-run his odds. Archie Watson had three winners on Thursdaywhich indicates his horses are beginning to hit top gear.

I’m really looking forward to taking the ride on Makanah in the Inchs Cider Scottish Sprint Cup (3.21) at Musselburgh on Saturday.

He ran a hell of a race at York when runner-up to Dakota Gold and for whatever reason he always comes alive at Musselburgh. He never runs a bad race there. I don’t envisage dropping back to five furlongs being problematic, and he ticks all the boxes on form. I’m drawn near the stands’ rail (12), and he’s got ‘a bit of boot’, so we’ll just hope for some luck. He’s the highlight of the afternoon.

Northbound competes in a 0-60 handicap (4.41). His first run of the season at Thirsk was a positive one, even though he was unlucky in-running. You can ignore his last run at Wolverhampton, as nothing went right after being hampered at the start. He’s on a winnable mark, and I’m hopeful he’ll go okay in a moderate affair.

I’m back at Musselburgh on Sunday for the Sky Bet Sunday Series meeting where I’ll have various rides for Jim Goldie. Annandale (5.15) is a horse we’ve liked since he arrived from Mark Johnston.

He had a terrible draw last time at York – put a line through that run – and I feel that this two-mile trip around a track like Musselburgh will suit. Jim, who also has Geremia in the race, hasn’t had Annandale for long so truthfully, it’s still a little bit of a learning mission.

I’m looking forward to getting back aboard Le Beau Garcon (4.45). He did very well for the Easterbys last year (2-3, winning novice contests at Beverley and Redcar). He’s done well physically over the winter and starts off life in handicaps on a nice mark. I’m happy with him, so fingers crossed he’ll make into a nice sprinter this year.

It’s a busy enough start to next week with Pontefract (Monday), Wetherby (Tuesday) and Hamilton (Wednesday). Tjade Collier has booked me for Vindobala at Wetherby. She was runner-up to Tommy G at Musselburgh recently and is a filly who has run consistently well.