Go North: McCain and Hughes set a standard others may find impossible to match

Brain Hughes (centre) and Donald McCain (right) with agent Richard Hale: the pair look set to dominate at Musselburgh and CarlisleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Musselburgh kicks off Go North racing weekend and the first thing to note about the Edinburgh track is that it has had to water. The ground is often on the quick side and, with a dry forecast for the opening Friday, it will definitely favour good-ground performers.

My Racing Post TV colleague Mattie Batchelor describes Musselburgh as one of the sharpest courses in Britain and, combined with fast going, it offers a test of speed rather than stamina.

As with most courses in the north, Donald McCain heads the training table this season with ten wins from 33 runners (30 per cent) and champion jockey elect Brian Hughes is the rider to follow. He has booted home 12 winners from 49 rides, for a smaller 24 per cent strike-rate.

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Graeme RodwayDeputy betting editor

Published on 24 March 2022inFeatures

Last updated 16:25, 24 March 2022

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