Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Nicky Richards is hoping for more success with bang-in-form Hard Iron at Musselburgh on Sunday.
The Greystoke raider is partnered by dual champion jockey Brian Hughes as he bids to make it four wins on the trot.
“He’s gone up 22lbs since he started his good run but he’s in gold old form,” said Richards, who also saddles Kajaki in the same race. “It was a decent effort to win at Catterick last time as it was his first try at nearly 3m 2f.”
Opposition to Hard Iron is headed by Sandy Thomson’s course and distance scorer and recent Kelso winner Faithfulflyer while Iain Jardine-trained Lastofthecosmics has dipped well below his last winning mark.
Only three has been declared for the £12,000 feature handicap chase and Lucinda Russell will look to end a productive week in style with Methodtothemadness.
The Grand National-winning handler landed a treble at Ayr on Tuesday and this recent course and distance winner has only been nudged up 1lb for that half-length strike under today’s pilot Derek Fox.
Clairmc, in the opening mares’ novices’ hurdle is just the third runner at the East Lothian venue fo Gavin Cromwell.
The Co Meath visitor has been competing in some hot races in her native country and should welcome this drop into calmer waters.
Beat The Edge, ridden again by Hawick’s Jamie Hamilton, went close at Market Rasen last time and the application of cheekpieces could see the combination go one better in the 3m novices’ handicap chase.