Serious Operator can live up to his name

IT IS the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials at Musselburgh this weekend and there are two competitive cards to enjoy and get stuck into.

Lucinda Russell has yet another likeable prospect on her hands in the shape of Serious Operator and the six-year-old can make it three wins from four hurdle starts in the Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday.

Following wind surgery he returned to form with a convincing win over 2m4½f at Newcastle last time and should be suited by the step back up in trip at the Edinburgh venue, having won a 3m point last May.

The Edinburgh National Handicap Chase can go to Flower Of Scotland, who won the Borders version at Kelso in December and is unexposed over marathon distances. Sandy Thomson’s eight-year-old scored easily at Kelso and an 8lb rise may not be enough to stop a follow-up in the 3m7½f event.

Thomson also has some live contenders at Musselburgh on Sunday and Carcaci Castle has appealing claims in the Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He made it two out of two for the yard when winning at Kelso in late December and that form was franked when the runner-up Traprain Law won next time.

His stablemate Coolbane Boy has won on his last two visits to Musselburgh, including on his latest start in November, and can strike over course and distance in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle.

Return Ticket bounced back to form when going close at Kelso in December and the Rebecca Menzies-trained ten-year-old can go one better in the Scottish Champion Handicap Chase on Sunday. He may well have won last time but for a blunder two out, and he is a two-time course winner at Musselburgh.

Despite being a ten-year-old, Thomson’s

Storm Nelson has shown career-best form when winning the last twice and he can land a hat-trick in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Summerghand is one of the best allweather sprinters and the David O’Mearatrained nine-year-old can come out on top in the Listed BetUK Kachy Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

Also worth noting

Rafferty’s Return (Rebecca Menzies) in the 3.23 at Wetherby on Saturday

Bak Rocky (Sandy Thomson) in the 3.55 at Musselburgh on Sunday