Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Gweedore bids for a third win in the Livescore Bet Silver Arrow Handicap as the curtain is raised for the new Scottish Flat season at Musselburgh.
Katie Scott’s six-time course scorer landed the seven-furlong contest in 2022 and 2023 and, twelve months ago, was a close second to Persuasion, who is among the opposition again this afternoon.
“He knows the track like the back of his hand and he’s in really good shape for his first run,” reported the Borders trainer. “It’s a better race this year as the rating band is higher but that means he’s getting weight from a few of his rivals.”
Clifford Lee, who made his comeback at Newcastle yesterday following a spell on the sidelines due to injuries he sustained in a serious motor cycle crash in Scotland in the autumn, partners Al Qareem in the £80,000 Virgin Bet Goliath Cup Stakes.
The hot-favourite, trained by Karl Burke and the top-rated of the six runners on a BHA mark of 114, was a dual Group 3 winner last season.
The £70,000 Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap is always a target for some of the leading speedsters and was won last year by subsequent Group 1 hero American Affair.
Twelve months ago, Jer Batt, trained by father and daughter combination, David and Nicola Barron, was a close third and he is in the line-up again.
American Affair’s handler Jim Goldie, who saddled a Scottish record 100 winners on the Flat in 2025, has three runners this time including Jordan Electrics, who holds two track records at Hamilton Park.