Horse Racing Tips: No deserting Zuma now dropping in trip

A busy Friday of jumps and flat action takes place across the UK and Ireland, with seven meetings scheduled throughout the day.

Among our horse racing tips from across the cards is a runner from trainer Andrew Balding, who makes his first start as a three-year-old after a promising two-year-old campaign.

15:45 Musselburgh - Harry The Rogue @ 15/2

Conor Whiteley, nephew of multiple champion Mick Kinane, has made a fine impression in his first few months riding in Britain, and his 5lb claim in this apprentice race can prove gold dust aboard HARRY THE ROGUE.

Stephen Hanlon’s gelding was an improver in 2025, striking up a fruitful partnership with 7lb claimer Sam Coen, winning twice and coming second a further five times despite the five-year-old’s tendency to race keenly.

That trait was in evidence again on his debut for his new trainer last time at Newcastle, but he still ran well for Whiteley, just going down to a rapid improver who was bringing up a hat-trick for his new yard.

The fact that Harry The Rogue has shown the ability to compete despite his tendency to pull hard means he should remain competitive, and if there is any course that he can get away with such a habit it is at Musselburgh, especially from stall two.

17:45 Musselburgh - Persuasion @ 4/1

Having been given an unusually patient ride over course and distance last time, now looks like the time to catch PERSUASION as he drops into a Class 4 for the first time in his career.

Despite this first try in a Class 4, David and Nicola Barron’s nine-year-old shows little sign of slowing down, producing one of the best RPRs of his career when runner-up at Haydock in September last year.

That was the last time that jockey Callum Rodriguez partnered the gelding, the duo totalling two wins a second and a third from the five times they have teamed up, so the jockey booking bodes well.

For that second at Haydock, as well as his win there and over today’s course and distance last April, he was ridden prominently, a tactic that often pays dividends at Musselburgh.

Unlike last time when Saffie Osborne found herself behind from a wide stall, Rodriguez will presumably make plenty of use of him from stall one and this drop in class on faster ground can see him return to the winner’s circle.

18:45 Musselburgh - Montezuma @ 5/2

Jim Goldie’s ex-Godolphin four-year-old MONTEZUMA won for this column two weeks ago and there is no reason to desert him now with his cosy win last time signalling there was plenty more in the tank.

In that contest, which was over course and distance, Paul Mulrennan utilised the selection’s impressive cruising speed to have him well positioned throughout, and they should be able to take up a nice position again from a middle draw.

The ground will be faster this time, but the only time he encountered good to firm in his three-year-old season was a quality run in a Racing League race at Windsor.

He pulled himself into the lead and looked like the winner until well inside the final furlong that day, only giving best late on to two improvers in Brosay and Zoulu Chief.

That race came over six furlongs, but it is this trip of five that promises to show this strong traveller in his best light and he can pick up another nice prize for a Class 4 on Sunday before moving up in grade.

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