Doctor eyes Musselburgh joy

RACING: Gelding faces seven rivals in feature race today

THE MOUSE DOCTOR is a rare Musselburgh raider for Irish trainer Tony Martin in the feature race at the East Lothian venue today.

Ridden by first-time course visitor Phillip Enright, the gelding is set to face seven rivals in the £11,500 Betway Handicap Hurdle, a qualifier for the Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final.

Co Meath-based Martin, who also saddles Mr Jacaranda and Good Time Jonny on the six-race card, has had two jumps winners at Musselburgh from 15 runners.

Among the opposition to The Mouse Doctor are Nicky Richards’ KAJAKI – a two-time winner in 2018 while with Kevin Ryan – and Karen McLintocktrained handicap hurdle debutant WEATHER FRONT who won his final two races last term in novice company.

Emma Smith-Chaston and HIGH NOON bid to follow up their recent runaway course success in the Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Rebecca Menzies’ Tabou Beach Boy can strike again as he tries his hand over an extra half-mile in the opening Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle – having located the winning habit for the first time on his previous visit to this course two weeks ago.

PRINCE ROCK rarely runs a bad race at Lingfield and can further enhance his statistics in the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap.

The five-year-old is an in-form regular at the Surrey track, and it would be no surprise to see him defy a joint careerhigh rating by winning for the third time in four visits since the end of November.

NEVER DARK can light up the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Stakes, and make his long trip worthwhile from trainer Andrew Balding’s famous Hampshire base.

The three-year-old got his eye in with a decent debut third over this trip at Kempton last month, and may well be able to put that valuable initial experience to good use here.