Musselburgh free racing tips: Last year’s winner primed for successful defence

15:50 Musselburgh: British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (7 furlongs)

When Rock Melody won this race 12 months ago it was a 0-90 contest and she won it off a mark of 77, so she has to be of major interest as she bids to retain the prize off her current mark of 73 which is effectively reduced to just 70 after Amie Waugh’s handy 3lb claim.

Waugh was also in the saddle for this mare’s latest success, which came in August when she won a six-furlong handicap at Hamilton on soft ground, beating 14 rivals in the process.

Her seven-furlong stamina stood her in good stead over that solidly-run uphill track on slow ground, but that Hamilton win was her first turf success away from this venue since 2021, so she must have been in good shape to win there.

Rock Melody's previous three turf wins all came at today’s track where she has demonstrated her versatility over trips between five and seven furlongs.

She hinted strongly that she is due another seven-furlong success when finishing a close-up third of nine, again under Waugh, in a stronger 0-95 Class 3 handicap at Haydock in August.

Best Bet: Rock Melody each-way in the 15:50 at Musselburgh

That race involved four rivals rated between 88-95, so it was a lot stronger than today’s 0-87 affair, plus she ran off a higher mark than today’s, finishing well from off the pace, despite struggling for room in the closing stages rather than having to wait for a gap entering the final furlong.

Her only seven furlong run since then was in an even stronger Class 2 contest at York, and that came on ground that was much too quick for her, so it is very easy to overlook.

On the strength of that, which was a one-length defeat in a stronger race than this, she must have a good chance of retaining this prize in a lesser contest than last year’s and off a mark that is effectively 7lbs lower.

Of the others, Mereside Diva comes here in good form following her second of 10 in a 0-90 fillies’ handicap over seven furlongs of good-to-soft ground at Newmarket just over a week ago.

A similar effort off an unchanged mark will give this previous course winner a decent chance from a favourable low draw.

All her best runs have come over this distance, and although she does seem to prefer a more galloping track and she is still 5lbs above her top winning mark, she is still a big player in what is a moderate renewal.

Next Best Bet: Mereside Diva in the 15:50 at Musselburgh

• Preview and tips provided Steve Jones, who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr