Sunday Series preview: Musselburgh hosts competitive card

With Ayr not ready to recommence Flat racing, Musselburgh Racecourse has stepped in to host the second fixture in the 2026 Sky Bet Sunday Series on April 26. 

Musselburgh was also the venue for the opening fixture on April 12, and three of the winners on that card - Abduction, Montezuma (both Jim Goldie), and Fast Fred (Phil Makin) - look set to return seeking further success.

Phil Makin, who retired from riding after injuries sustained in a fall at Redcar in August 2018, has trained over 70 winners since taking out a training license the following year, and his Fast Fred got off to a flyer in the 2026 Sky Bet Sunday Series with a win in the Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap at Musselburgh.

Based out of the “top barn” at Jedd O’Keeffe’s stable in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, Makin’s compact string of 15 horses has direct access to the Middleham Gallops. Makin, and his partner Sammy Jo Bell, are also involved in undertaking pre-training for the powerful Spigot Lodge handler Karl Burke. 

Acknowledging that a fast start was more important than ever this year, and taking each race at time, Makin has an eye on pursuing the £100,000 Sky Bet Sunday Series bonus with Fast Fred, saying “You’ve got to give it a go, haven’t you?”

“I was sort of hoping Ayr would go ahead because Fast Fred appreciates easier ground. What might negate that is that there is a two-mile race at Musselburgh and I’d probably be more leaning towards that than the 12.5f contest.”

“Fast Fred stays pretty well, and Musselburgh is an easy track, so he isn’t going to have a problem with the trip. When the pace quickened last time, you’ll see that he stalled, went a little flat, before getting going again.”

He has been raised 4lb and obviously he’ll have to improve again but I think he has improved this year. The figures reflect that.”

Makin welcomes the prize money on offer in the Sky Bet Sunday Series, as well as the opportunity to showcase his business, explaining, 

“These races are important for everybody, the horse, the owner, me as a trainer, and Rowan (Scott) as a rider. It’s a nice pot, there’s potentially more money up for grabs, so we’ll be doing our very best.”

Should all go well at Musselburgh on Sunday, the next step could be Hamilton for the Class 3 (71-90) 1 mile 5-furlong Handicap on May 17; Makin saying, “Fast Fred has run well at Hamilton before, and you tend to get easier ground there.”

Accompanying Fast Fred on the journey to Musselburgh could be the newcomer Pocket Change, who holds an entry in the five-furlong EBF Restricted Maiden.

The Far Above filly is the fourth foal from a seven-furlong juvenile winner and Makin explains, “She might go to Musselburgh. I was going to run her towards the end of the month, possibly into next month. However, Nick Bradley has just bought into this filly, and he called me this morning (Tuesday) asking whether she was ready to run.”

It’s a nice prize at Musselburgh, so while I’m not 100% sure she goes there – I might wait for a Band D at Beverley – she might do. This race popped up, it was initially going to be over six furlongs at Ayr but is now over five furlongs at Musselburgh. Five furlongs on decent ground is what she wants, so it does give us the option.”

“Purely by coincidence, I also train the third foal (Farabove The Limit) from her dam, who I bought fairly cheaply but should also win races. Pocket Change is the polar opposite to Farabove The Limit. We liked her at the sales, and she’s done very well since joining us.”

“I took her to Newcastle for a barrier trail, so she does have a bit of experience. There’s no pressure there, and if a horse does misbehave, it’s far better that they do it there rather than on a race day. The handlers look after the horses; there’s no one better than Craig (Witherford). Everything tends to go smoothly because he is very good at his job. It is all about giving these youngsters the experience.”

Lanarkshire trainer Jim Goldie has entered no fewer than 19 horses – that number likely to reduce at final declarations – for Sunday’s seven-race card, including the six-year-old Letsbefrank, who became the first horse to win three races in the Sky Bet Sunday Series in 2024 with victories at Thirsk, Hamilton, and Pontefract.

However, most eyes will be fixed on Montezuma, who was strongin the finishwhen justifying market support in the Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap here a fortnight ago. Similarly to Phil Makin’s Fast Fred, he’ll need to improve again from 7lb higher. Stablemate Abduction (2lb higher) could also return to seek a second straight win.