Racing Preview - The Virgin Bet Start of the Flat Raceday

Paddy’s Day looks to extend his current winning sequence to five in the feature race at Musselburgh as the new turf campaign gets underway in Scotland.

With apprentice Alex Jary bidding for a first win at the East Lothian venue, Nigel Tinkler’s charge faces seven rivals in the £20,000 Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap over five-furlongs.

Having won all four starts so far in 2025 over the minimum trip on Newcastle’s Tapeta surface, Paddy’s Day reverts to grass for the first time since being pipped by a neck at Beverley last September.

The likely favourite is Spartan Arrow, who scrambled home by a nose at Wolverhampton three weeks ago. Trained in Lambourn by Archie Watson, he is one of four booked rides on the card for Hollie Doyle.

Scottish interest is supplied by Jim Goldie’s Eternal Sunshine and Katie Scott-trained Curious Rover.

Watson’s wife Brodie Hampson partners Throne Hall in the opening Virgin Bet Supporting Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap  as the gelding emerges from a race that was declared void at Lingfield last Friday. 

A quartet of juvenile newcomers make up the field for the Livescore Bet EBF Restricted Novice Stakes. The sharpest page belongs to Karl Burke-trained filly Ours De Soleil but with the others saddled by Hugo Palmer, Charlie Johnston and Alice Haynes, it promises to be an illuminating contest.

For more information contact Gordon Brown on 07850 258063 for Scottish Racing.