YOUR GUIDE TO THIS AFTERNOON’S ACTION

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

CHAMPION BRIAN HUGHES’S tally of 54 wins at Musselburgh over the last five years is 38 better than any other jockey. Hughes has six rides with novice chaser GENERAL OFFICER (Musselburgh, 1.40) and BALLYGEARY (Musselburgh, 2.50) of particular interest along with BRANDY McQUEEN (Musselburgh, 2.15), twice a hurdle winner at the course.

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

GARY MOORE has 34 wins at Sandown in the last five years, bettered only by Paul Nicholls (39). Moore hopes for big runs from PEKING OPERA (Sandown, 12.50) and LE PATRON (Sandown, 2.35), who won the Grade One Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (2m) at the track in December. He also saddles interesting handicap debutant DIPLOMATIC ASH (Sandown, 1.25) and a couple of outsiders in HERMINO AA (Sandown, 3.10) and FULL BACK (Sandown, 3.45). BIG DAY FOR... CONOR O’FARRELL had his first ride for six months yesterday after being out with a dislocated shoulder following a fall at Market Rasen. The 34-year-old has two rides today and both HALF SHOT (Musselburgh, 4.00) and BASHFUL (Musselburgh, 4.35) have a shout.

WATCH OUT FOR...

PEKING OPERA (Sandown, 12.50) Won two of his races on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien, including a 1m 5f Listed prize at Navan. He also ran at Royal Ascot — seventh in the Queen’s Vase — and was fourth to Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby. The son of Galileo, bought for £105,000 and holding a Triumph Hurdle entry, is at home on soft ground.

HORSES FOR COURSES OPERATION MANNA

(Sandown, 3.10) has run three times at the Esher track, finishing second once and winning his other starts when he was ridden by his jockey today Cameron Iles.

TRAINER TARGET PAUL NICHOLLS

has won the Bet365 Scottish County

Handicap Hurdle twice (2017 and 2021) in the last six years. He runs Freddie Gingell-ridden AFADIL (Musselburgh, 2.50).

PERFECT PARTNERS

CALLUM SHEPHERD has two winners from three rides for TOM SYMONDS to show a £1 level stake profit of +£28.50. He rides the trainer’s HAVANAZAM (Wolverhampton, 4.30), who should be suited by the shorter distance after failing to stay at two miles in his last run.

BEST RACE FOR FAVOURITES

Five favourites have won the 2.35 at Sandown and the 3.50 at Wetherby in the last 10 years.

TOP PRIZEMONEY EARNERS

Kempton, 7.15: RAINBOW DREAMER £271,931 Musselburgh, 2.15:

£243,780

VIA DOLOROSA

Sandown, 3.10: WEST BALBOA £143,008 Wetherby, 3.50: WINDSOR AVENUE £136,292 Wolverhampton, 6.00: FELIX £430,643