An unexpected 11/1 longshot is poised to make waves at Saturday's Musselburgh races, with City Of Diamonds earning the top pick from the Racing Post for the 13:43 race! But what makes this particular horse stand out, and can it live up to the hype?
Here's a breakdown of the day's races at Musselburgh, with insights to help you navigate the exciting world of horse racing:
Saturday’s Musselburgh Racing Selections:
13:10: Made U Blush
This promising filly, Made U Blush, made a spectacular debut at Doncaster, winning with remarkable ease on her second hurdle start. Now, she's set to take on the colts and geldings, and she's our top choice to continue her winning streak. While Secret Force had an off-day at Cheltenham due to jumping issues, his previous impressive win at Punchestown makes him a strong contender. Keep an eye on Lord, a Listed winner at Aintree, and Falls Of Acharn, a previous winner over this course and distance, especially given trainer Paul Nicholls' excellent track record in this race.13:43: City Of Diamonds
City Of Diamonds demonstrated impressive form when winning over this course and distance on his handicap debut back in November. Despite being hampered by traffic issues on New Year's Day, he's expected to get back to his winning ways. The main threat could come from Welsh Charger, last year's winner, who aims for a repeat performance. Williethebuilder is another rapidly improving contender, and Afadil, the 2024 winner, also warrants respect.14:20: JPR One
JPR One, a class act, narrowly missed out over Cheltenham's extended 2-mile course last time. There's good reason to believe he'll handle today's distance on this quicker track. We're backing him to overcome the top weight. Insurrection showed resilience to finish third over this course and distance despite a significant error three fences from home, making him a potential danger. Tommy's Oscar, who finished fourth in the same race after a mistake at the second-to-last fence, is also worth considering.
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15:00: Absolutely Doyen
Absolutely Doyen is the horse to beat, having secured his fourth consecutive win for trainer Paul Nicholls at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Lewisham Grove impressed with a convincing win at Newcastle recently and appears to be the strongest challenger, with Walks The Talk and Sleedagh also in contention.15:37: Magna Victor
Trainer Iain Jardine has a strong hand with two horses in contention, having won this race for the past two years. Ravenscraig Castle is in good form and should perform well. However, Gemini Man, who was narrowly defeated by Magna Victor over this course and distance last time, is particularly appealing. Alastair Ralph's lightly raced 7-year-old will need to produce a career-best performance to carry an increased weight, but his progressive nature suggests he could win again. As Fast As Wind and the recent Ayr winner Platin Moon are also on our shortlist.16:11: Kelce (NAP)
The front-runner Kelce (our NAP, or 'Next Best Bet') was consistently strong throughout 2025, with his only subpar performance occurring on heavy ground at Cheltenham. He's our top pick for this race. However, the Irish challenger Sammy Smart could pose a significant threat following his impressive win in a large field at Punchestown. Rexem finished strongly for second over 2m4f here on New Year's Day, and Special Rate, who was runner-up over this course and distance on his stable debut, is another to watch.
A note on odds: All prices are current, but remember that odds can change before the race begins.
And this is the part most people miss... While these are expert selections, the thrill of horse racing often lies in the unexpected. Is it always the favourite that wins? Sometimes, the biggest upsets come from horses with less fanfare. What are your thoughts on backing an 11/1 outsider like City Of Diamonds? Do you prefer to stick with proven winners, or do you enjoy the gamble on a potential dark horse? Let us know in the comments below!
Curious about how these predictions are made? Understanding the form, the trainers, and the track conditions are all crucial elements. Would you like to delve deeper into how racing experts analyze these factors to make their picks?
