Gordon's Guide ~ Betway Easter Saturday Raceday Preview

Musselburgh general manager Bill Farnsworth said: “The Queen’s Cup is positioned to capture the attention of the leading trainers and we have tried to develop it as the first leg of the big staying handicaps before horses target the Chester Cup, Northumberland Plate and Ebor.

“We are really looking forward to getting back to racing on the Flat and this is a cracking card with £174,000 of prize money which has attracted some pretty decent stayers, milers and sprinters alike.”

From four visits in 2019, Alright Sunshine won two bumpers and two Flat contests, including the Archerfield Cup, by an aggregate of over 24-lengths and he was sent off a hot favourite on each occasion.

Mark Johnston, the winning trainer two years ago with Austrian School, saddles five runners including Themaxwecan, who carries the colours of Scottish owner Douglas Livingston.

The feature also sees Hollie Doyle on board Ian Williams-trained Cardano, who is seeking a hat-trick following wins at Lingfield in January and February. 

Doyle, whose five previous course mounts have yielded three winners is booked for another five rides and they include Came From The Dark in the Betway Scottish Sprint Cup, a race she scooped in 2019 on Saaheq, and in the Betway Royal Mile Handicap.

By Gordon Brown for Scottish Racing