Double delight for Thomson and Mania partnership at Musselburgh

Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania were in great form at Musselburgh yesterday when Whos my daddy and Coolkill supplied the Greenlaw-based partnership with a double.

The former made an impressive de but over fence sin the George Crawford Legacy Trust Handicap Chase with Coolkill scoring later on in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap Chase.

“I was pleasantly surprised with the way Whos my daddy did that today as he wasn’t that exceptional over hurdles,” Mania said. “However he seems to have come to life with the cheekpieces on and he really took to the fences out there.”

Evan Williams, based 370 miles away in the Vale Of Glamorgan, also recorded a double with Balkardy and Everyone sacritic.

The opening leg was partnered by his daughter Isabel, who was paying her first visit to the East Lothian venue.

“It’s a long way to come but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my visit and it’s a nice track to ride,” she said. “This is a horse that has deserved to get his head back in front and, although he’s been second a few times, he’s genuine enough.”

Iain Jardine saddled the onetwo in the concluding 100% Racing TV Profits Back To Racing Handicap after Bashful pipped stable-companion La Quarite by a neck.

Meanwhile, Clovis Island is entitled to step forward from his hurdling debut in the Come Racing At Carlisle In 2024 Novices' Hurdle today.

Hailing from the in-form yard of Nicky Richards, the six-year-old was second in his only point-to-point before joining the Greystoke handler.

He made the perfect start to life under rules in March last year when winning a bumper at Hexham by two lengths from Fox's Fancy in heavy ground, looking a nice prospect in doing so.

Not sighted after that for over 200 days, he made his hurdling debut at Hexham in December and it was disappointing he could finish only fourth given he was 2-1 favourite. Nevertheless, better can be expected with that run under his belt and the yard have been among the winners in recent days.