Raceday LIVE – Pop Star
Musselburgh,
Fri 08 Aug 2025 15:55
Related horse(s):
Pop Star
Pop Star heads to Scotland for his third run in a row this afternoon, as he takes on the five furlong trip at Musselburgh in the Class 4 Handicap at 15:55.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Pop Star finds himself in the north once more, as he heads up to the East Coast of Scotland for a race over five furlongs at Musselburgh. Having already had two runs at Hamilton this season, he's well accustomed to travelling and should be able to take another long journey in his stride.
His last two runs have been incredibly pleasing, his second place finish at Hamilton two starts ago being the highlight of the two, having just been edged out in the final strides by Parisiac, who's scored once since and only finished outside of the top three in his six runs since.
WATCH: Pop Star just falls short in a photo finish at Hamilton
Last time out, again at Hamilton, Pop Star was a little bit too keen coming out of the stalls and darted to his right almost immediately after breaking. He did however run on incredibly well in the closing stages, despite losing a large amount of ground at the very start of the contest. Jockey on the day, Kevin Stott, mentioned that he didn't seem to enjoy running downhill as much as the other runners in the race and really hit his stride when they hit the climb in the last couple of furlongs.
WATCH: Kevin Stott is positive Pop Star will come on for his fourth place finish at Hamilton
Since his last run under rules, Pop Star ran in the Markel Magnolia Cup Charity Race at the Goodwood Festival last week, where he finished fourth under a great ride from Entain Chief Marketing Officer, Charlotte Emery. That should have freshened him up nicely in preparation for his return to the racecourse proper, as it has been almost two months since his last professional race.
Musselburgh is a very flat course with only a small bump downhill in the middle of the straight, so there should be no issues for Pop Star in terms of undulations in the track. He's also be drawn handily in stall three, close to the stands side rail, which should help him keep focussed in the early stages of the race. He will also be donning his usual headgear today, namely a tongue-tie and cheekpieces, which he's worn in his last thirteen races.
A field of seven will head to post this afternoon with Jim Goldie sending two of those runners to East Lothian, including Jm Jhingree who won over course and distance two starts ago. Protest Rally is the only other winner over this trip at Musselburgh in the field, doing so three times, one of which came in May of this year. Pop Star will carry top weight in the contest, with Al Hussar carrying five pounds less than him, which includes a three pound weight allowance, and he arrives here this afternoon looking to go one better than last time out where he was narrowly edged out at Thirsk.
The going at Musselburgh is set to be good, which should play to Pop Star's strengths as he's won on similar ground twice previously. There isn't any rain forecast over the course of the day either, so conditions on course should be perfect for summer flat racing.
Raceday update from trainer, Alice Haynes
"Pop Star is in good form and loved the experience of the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood last week.
That will have helped put him spot on for this and although he has to concede weight to the field, I think he can be very competitive.
We've booked Hollie Doyle, who rides the track well and I'm looking forward to running him."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews Pop Star's race at Musselburgh this afternoon, including who he thinks could be our main rivals today
Pop Star was unable to build on his close second at Hamilton when returned to the same track for his latest effort but that form is working out reasonably well and he would’ve been closer without meeting trouble late on. He probably doesn’t have a great deal in hand of his mark right now but is able to be competitive given the right scenario. The concern here is whether the sharp 5f at Musselburgh is exactly what he wants given the way he shaped at a stiffer track last time, outpaced but running on.
The one to beat is the well-handicapped Al Hussar who has dropped a good way in the weights but has looked back in good form of late. A good run when drawn on the wrong side at York was followed by a close second off this mark six days ago and if in the same form he has a strong chance despite being drawn in stall one which probably isn’t ideal. A low draw and position on the flank may have been the issue for JM Jhingree last time and on his previous win here he’s also a big player while last year’s winner on this race Protest Rally likes the track and has the rails draw so has to enter calculations.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes is set for an exciting weekend, with Cairo making the trip to Colonial Downs in the USA for their Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes, but back in the UK she's in fine form with two winners in the last fortnight, including Naana's Sparkle at last week's Glorious Goodwood Festival. The Newmarket based trainer has a great record of four wins from 16 runs at Musselburgh too and will be hoping that Pop Star can land her first victory at the East Lothian track of the season today.
Hollie Doyle is set to captain the UK & Ireland team at the Shergar Cup tomorrow and is heading towards the team based event in excellent form, with 8 wins in her last 42 rides which include two Group level victories. She's only ridden 26 times in her career for Alice Haynes, but has scored on five of those occasions. She's also got a great record at Musselburgh, posting a 25% strike rate with five wins in 20 career rides.
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's run at Musselburgh this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 4 contest is worth £12,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £6,280 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,947 | 3rd: £1,472 | 4th: £736 | 5th: £367
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 15:55 at Musselburgh – click here to find out more.
MUSSELBURGH 15:55 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:55 to watch Pop Star's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Pop Star finds himself in the north once more, as he heads up to the East Coast of Scotland for a race over five furlongs at Musselburgh. Having already had two runs at Hamilton this season, he's well accustomed to travelling and should be able to take another long journey in his stride.
His last two runs have been incredibly pleasing, his second place finish at Hamilton two starts ago being the highlight of the two, having just been edged out in the final strides by Parisiac, who's scored once since and only finished outside of the top three in his six runs since.
WATCH: Pop Star just falls short in a photo finish at Hamilton
Last time out, again at Hamilton, Pop Star was a little bit too keen coming out of the stalls and darted to his right almost immediately after breaking. He did however run on incredibly well in the closing stages, despite losing a large amount of ground at the very start of the contest. Jockey on the day, Kevin Stott, mentioned that he didn't seem to enjoy running downhill as much as the other runners in the race and really hit his stride when they hit the climb in the last couple of furlongs.
WATCH: Kevin Stott is positive Pop Star will come on for his fourth place finish at Hamilton
Since his last run under rules, Pop Star ran in the Markel Magnolia Cup Charity Race at the Goodwood Festival last week, where he finished fourth under a great ride from Entain Chief Marketing Officer, Charlotte Emery. That should have freshened him up nicely in preparation for his return to the racecourse proper, as it has been almost two months since his last professional race.
Musselburgh is a very flat course with only a small bump downhill in the middle of the straight, so there should be no issues for Pop Star in terms of undulations in the track. He's also be drawn handily in stall three, close to the stands side rail, which should help him keep focussed in the early stages of the race. He will also be donning his usual headgear today, namely a tongue-tie and cheekpieces, which he's worn in his last thirteen races.
A field of seven will head to post this afternoon with Jim Goldie sending two of those runners to East Lothian, including Jm Jhingree who won over course and distance two starts ago. Protest Rally is the only other winner over this trip at Musselburgh in the field, doing so three times, one of which came in May of this year. Pop Star will carry top weight in the contest, with Al Hussar carrying five pounds less than him, which includes a three pound weight allowance, and he arrives here this afternoon looking to go one better than last time out where he was narrowly edged out at Thirsk.
The going at Musselburgh is set to be good, which should play to Pop Star's strengths as he's won on similar ground twice previously. There isn't any rain forecast over the course of the day either, so conditions on course should be perfect for summer flat racing.
Raceday update from trainer, Alice Haynes
"Pop Star is in good form and loved the experience of the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood last week.
That will have helped put him spot on for this and although he has to concede weight to the field, I think he can be very competitive.
We've booked Hollie Doyle, who rides the track well and I'm looking forward to running him."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews Pop Star's race at Musselburgh this afternoon, including who he thinks could be our main rivals today
Pop Star was unable to build on his close second at Hamilton when returned to the same track for his latest effort but that form is working out reasonably well and he would’ve been closer without meeting trouble late on. He probably doesn’t have a great deal in hand of his mark right now but is able to be competitive given the right scenario. The concern here is whether the sharp 5f at Musselburgh is exactly what he wants given the way he shaped at a stiffer track last time, outpaced but running on.
The one to beat is the well-handicapped Al Hussar who has dropped a good way in the weights but has looked back in good form of late. A good run when drawn on the wrong side at York was followed by a close second off this mark six days ago and if in the same form he has a strong chance despite being drawn in stall one which probably isn’t ideal. A low draw and position on the flank may have been the issue for JM Jhingree last time and on his previous win here he’s also a big player while last year’s winner on this race Protest Rally likes the track and has the rails draw so has to enter calculations.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes is set for an exciting weekend, with Cairo making the trip to Colonial Downs in the USA for their Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes, but back in the UK she's in fine form with two winners in the last fortnight, including Naana's Sparkle at last week's Glorious Goodwood Festival. The Newmarket based trainer has a great record of four wins from 16 runs at Musselburgh too and will be hoping that Pop Star can land her first victory at the East Lothian track of the season today.
Hollie Doyle is set to captain the UK & Ireland team at the Shergar Cup tomorrow and is heading towards the team based event in excellent form, with 8 wins in her last 42 rides which include two Group level victories. She's only ridden 26 times in her career for Alice Haynes, but has scored on five of those occasions. She's also got a great record at Musselburgh, posting a 25% strike rate with five wins in 20 career rides.
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's run at Musselburgh this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Pop Star and the Alice Haynes team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 4 contest is worth £12,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £6,280 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,947 | 3rd: £1,472 | 4th: £736 | 5th: £367
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 15:55 at Musselburgh – click here to find out more.
MUSSELBURGH 15:55 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:55 to watch Pop Star's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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