Musselburgh 4/4/26 - Pilgrim(age)

Initially due to go to Newcastle Good Friday with my favourite son but a combination of weaker than expected ticket sales, questionable weather, and significantly higher expense meant Simon was sent in our stead. Workable without being spectacular from a front line pitch - the back line was, apparently, difficult. Good job from Simon to eke out the business and we stumbled to a small win.

Weather Apps R Us at Musselburgh again. All possibilities were considered, paddock, tunnel, end of line, 1f pole or 3 facing lawn. 1f pole was quickly discounted as pitch was almost in the fairground rides, paddock was under serious consideration due to threat of rain but we favoured end of line or the best pick of the 3 facing lawn. Our decision was made for us when our friend Mark snagged the end of line pick and we took a chance facing the lawn - only one of the other two pitches were filled which meant we were either geniuses or eejits - experience suggested we were more likely to fall into the latter category.

Rain started fairly soon after pitch in and, really, never stopped. Not heavy enough to completely kill it but steady enough drizzle to impact. The reserved picnic benches were a sea of brollies which steadily dwindled throughout the day. Business was ok considering the weather - I still don't know if we made the right decision though, even now.

Matthew continued his bookmaking education - whether that is his or mine, I'm not entirely sure but he continues to be a duck to water, quite literally as the leaden skies emptied relentlessly. More than once I told him it would stop in 15 minutes - I was finally correct at around 4:40. Much too late to help us.

1) Comic Hero for max and Utmost Good Faith for a bit and we got off to a steady start with Strength of Spirit, though we wanted the big drifter Vincenzo Peruggia for the jackpot.

2) A couple of biggish early each way bets for Gweedore and Goldmoyne set the bogeys early and they were joined by Golden Mind late on. Jackpot time as Bellarchi swept home from seemingly nowhere. An understated twirl in the rain.

3) Followed by a step back as, again, an early lump or two for jolly Al Qareem set our book. Many Men caused much delight in the punting fraternity as the female half of pretty much every couple ended with the female half asking if she could have Many Men. The gags were as endless as the 2nd bogey in the book was inevitable. Two horse race and the favourite looked beaten before rallying in heartbreaking fashion. I was under orders from Junior to count the big payout only then to be chastised by said Junior for handing him my remaining tenners and fivers to start my count. A brief reminder given as to who the boss was (still me, yep)

4) Jackpot number 2 of the day duly arrived in the shape of Team Player and, yet again, the early betting dictated a liability on clear favourite Gambino along with the drifting Wise Eagle.

5) Two options for the headline maker here - we went with the REM album track rather than the Pixies actual album. Mainly on the basis that we didn't want the Pilgrim to "come on". We wanted the other two but, not Pilgrim. We lost momentum. You're welcome - all two of you who get it.

6) What looked like the result of the day with Adonius was really just a small move forward in the win book but pretty much doubled in the places. Tricky Jenny and Super Alpha were the ones to avoid from our point of view.

7) Water of Leith the most inevitable bogey of the day, supplemented by caffeine lovers' favourite TheCoffeePodDotCo and children's educational book lovers with Ziggy's Triton. And there was finally sunshine, both figuratively and literally with a tidy win on jolly Wheels of Fire supplemented by a dream each way result as the next two in the market followed in.

A good winning day for us in less than ideal working circumstances, Matthew's fine start and enthusiasm only being tempered by every single bookmaker telling him how much he looks like his Dad. Poor lad.

We're at Aintree from Thursday, though currently we don't know if it's the Steve and Simon show or whether I'll be joining them. More news on this as we have it. I'm sure you'll be waiting with bated breath. So, wherever it is, until then....