'He's never run a bad race there' - dual course-and-distance winner Top Man Tom heads the weights for competitive Class 2 contest

Class 2 company is alien to most of these hurdlers. In fact, two-time course-and-distance winner Top Man Tom is the only horse to contest a race in this grade all season. 

The topweight is a nice place to start for Sandy Thomson, who supplied the 2022 winner and has more success than most when targeting the key meetings in the north. 

This unexposed six-year-old was an impressive winner of his first two handicaps at this track before coming unstuck when a 12-length fifth in a Pertemps qualifier last time. That is strong form, with the third Red Risk since taking out a £100,000 handicap at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day.

Time analysis highlights the worth of that race relative to the lower-grade staying hurdle on that card won by Prince Of Perth, who saw off Hostile Hotelier and You Some Girl in a messy affair with all three hampered at the fifth hurdle. Prince Of Perth recorded a time more than 16 seconds slower than the winner of the qualifier. 

Top Man Tom was up there with the prominent racers for most of the way in his race and will be more comfortable at this level. 

Prince Of Perth remains a respected opponent. A breathing issue emerged when he pulled up behind Top Man Tom in January, and Lucinda Russell excels with this type of horse.

Given the prize-money at Musselburgh, a lack of representation among the bigger yards in the south is surprising. With this in mind, Nicky Henderson’s sole runner at the meeting is of obvious interest.

Henderson is 2-3 at Musselburgh over the past five seasons, while James Bowen is 5-13 in that time frame. They combine with Fierce Warrior, who looks worth trying in cheekpieces over this longer trip. He lost his pitch early on the final circuit on his latest outing over 2m5f at Doncaster before rattling home for second.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ground and weather

The ground is good to soft, and clerk of the course Bill Farnsworth said: "It's most unusual to be staging a jumps fixture with such a settled forecast. It'll be dry and quite warm with a bit of a breeze. We've been watering for a couple of weeks, it's good to soft but we could go good in places in the afternoon."

What they say

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Top Man Tom
He's never run a bad race there, including last time in a much stronger contest when I thought he ran pretty well. We're hoping for another good effort.

Martin Todhunter, trainer of Forged Well
He fell last time when he was running well. I'd say he has a chance as he's won on good to soft ground before.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Prince Of Perth
He's come back to himself. We kept him fresh for this race as he's suited by three miles around here. Conner McCann rides regularly and gets on great with him.

Rebecca Menzies, trainer of You Some Girl, Edgewell and Star Vantage
They've been running well. They're hold-up horses, but you'd expect them to go fast in a race like this and they can hopefully pick up the pieces. There have been some hard-luck stories with You Some Girl and Star Vantage, but this should play to their strengths. Edgewell is very quick and Conor O'Farrell gets a good tune out of him, but I'm not sure about the big field.
Reporting by James Stevens

Three things to note on Friday

By Lewis Porteous

Captain Bellamy faces tough test

Captain Bellamy returns to the scene of the crime at Newbury as he faces five rivals in the 2m4½f novice hurdle (1.55).

Disqualified after winning a similar event in December when Champion Hurdle-winning rider Lorcan Williams went over the threshold with his whip, Captain Bellamy is partnered by Harry Cobden on this occasion. 

Always highly thought of by trainer Paul Nicholls, Captain Bellamy faces a fascinating rival in the shape of Queensbury Boy, who lost his unbeaten record when runner-up to the talented Wingmen at the Punchestown festival last May but made a smooth transition to hurdling when scoring by eight and a half lengths at Doncaster at the start of the month. He's an exciting prospect for his owner-rider David Maxwell and might just have the required artillery to give 6lb away to Captain Bellamy. 

Captain Bellamy13:55 Newbury

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Gunship out to build on debut promise

Gunship had to battle to get off the mark at the first time of asking at Newcastle in December, but it was a performance full of promise from an individual who cost €175,000 as a yearling and is a half-brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain. 

Gunship, who runs for Qatar Racing, the China Horse Club and David Howden, is a general 66-1 chance for the Betfred Derby in June and while James Ferguson's three-year-old clearly has a long way to go before connections can entertain taking up that entry, a Southwell novice (5.25) looks well within his compass. 

Among his more intriguing rivals is Michael Scofield, who has a strong US pedigree, is already a winner over course and distance and represents upwardly mobile Curragh trainer Michael O'Callaghan.

Gunship17:25 Southwell (A.W)

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: James Ferguson

Ryan holds strong hand with pair of Kings

Is this the year Rossa Ryan claims a first Flat jockeys' championship in Britain? He has certainly been heading in that direction in recent seasons and is Paddy Power’s 2-1 joint-favourite with Billy Loughnane to lift the title for the first time in October. 

Although winners before the Guineas meeting do not count towards the title, Ryan has been operating at an 18 per cent strike-rate over the past 14 days and it could be significant that he takes only two rides at Southwell. 

King Of Ithaca is not the easiest ride in the world and is best suited coming off a strong pace, but Ryan found the key when partnering him to success over course and distance last month and looks to be the rider's best chance of a winner in the 7f handicap (7.30). Ryan also partners Hawaiian King in the mile novice (5.25).

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