Let the games begin: get set for three days of thrilling action as Go North Series weekend kicks off at Musselburgh

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A week after the climax of the jump season's most fiercely contested four days, Musselburgh kicks off Ladbrokes Go North Series weekend.

For those who have punched their ticket to one of Friday's four finals, it is not stretching the comparison too far to say at a certain level, this is their Cheltenham.

The focus of the Musselburgh leg is hurdling, with four of the North's most iconic exponents of the art commemorated in the names of these series of races.

The weights for the Racing Post Go North Sea Pigeon Hurdle Series Final (5.00) over 2m1½f are headed by Mack The Man, who finished third to subsequent Morebattle Hurdle victor Cracking Rhapsody at Kelso in December and has drifted down the handicap by 7lb since, although there was some promise on his most recent start under Kit Alexander when third in the Ayr qualifier at the beginning of the month.

At the age of 11 and now on a rating of 113, Mack The Man could be a photo-fit of the type of horse the BHA envisaged when first framing this series five years ago, while at around 3-1 the field and boasting an each-way friendly 12 runners, it is as welcome to punters heading into the weekend as it is owners and trainers in search of a decent prize.

Lucinda Russell has yet to win the stayers' handicap hurdle run in memory of her breakthrough festival winner, 2012 Albert Bartlett hero Brindisi Breeze (4.25), and relies here on Prince Of Perth, a winner of the qualifier over Musselburgh's trials weekend at the start of February.

Conner McCann: will be aboard Prince Of Perth at Musselburgh on FridayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Once again Russell entrusts the ride to 7lb conditional Conner McCann, the latest young jockey off a production line which has already produced Brindisi Breeze's much-missed partner Campbell Gillies, Derek Fox and Patrick Wadge.

Nicky Henderson stands in Russell and McCann's path with Fierce Warrior, who qualified for the final on account of three straight runs at Doncaster rather than purely the fact he carries the colours of Middleham Park Racing.

The David Pipe-trained Belfrina has made hay on his trips to the north since being recruited off the Flat from John O'Donoghue, and might boast two wins and a second heading into the Ladbrokes Go North Grey Bomber Juvenile Series Final (3.20) but for a final-flight mishap at Doncaster two starts ago.

In the Racing Post Lady Buttons Mares' Hurdle Series Final (3.50), Lady Babs attempts to land a four-timer for trainer Andy Crook and 3lb conditional Conor Rabbitt.

ITV Racing will be at Kelso on Saturday and the third and final meeting of this festival is staged at Carlisle on Sunday, so let the games begin.

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