Treble chance for Fanning

A broken bone in his heel kept Fanning out of action for almost three months, but he has always had a good record on the East Lothian track and gets plenty of support from his boss, Mark Johnson.

The Yorkshire trainer’s horses have bounced back to top form in recent weeks, and Record Breaker can get Fanning and Johnston off to a flying start by winning the opening Racing UK Classified Selling Stakes (2:15pm).

The gelding has been a good servant with seven career victories – two of them on this track – but lost his form after scoring at Pontefract in the spring. He is a notoriously hard ride, but finished second at Southwell last month. The gelding was beaten a long way that day, but the winner has since completed a hat-trick, while Record Breaker himself again finished second at Lingfield. The drop into selling company can see him regain winning ways.

Johnson and Fanning can complete a quick fire double with Idler in the following contest – the EBF Ferrule Maiden Stakes (2:45pm).

The youngster carries Sheikh Hamdan’s colours and made his debut over five furlongs on this track in April, showing lots of speed before finishing fourth in a contest which has produced winners, while the runner-up also finished second at Royal Ascot.

Idler did not run again until finishing second over six furlongs at Yarmouth last week where he overcame a slows start to lead entering the final quarter of a mile, only to be caught in the closing stages.

His year older half-brother is a useful performer for Godolphin in France and the drop back to the minimum trip can see him open his winning account.

Jeu de Vivre opened his winning account over a mile-and-a-half here in midsummer when strolling home in a two-horse race, but has since scored a further three victories. They have all come at Hamilton Park so he clearly thrives on Scottish air and the three-year-old can round off a fine afternoon for Messrs Johnston and Fanning by beating older rivals in the Royal Scots Club Handicap (5.30pm)

Course specialist Nufoudh gets the vote in the James Birtley Retirement Handicap (3:55pm) over his favourite seven furlongs.

Three of the gelding’s five victories have been gained over that trip here and he has been running with credit this term, even though he changed stables last winter.

The seven-year-old was second at Catterick in July and led for a long way when finishing third here at the end of that month when trained by Colin Teague.

He has since gone back to former trainer Tracy Waggott and that could make all the difference.

Joe Rowntree’s Musselburgh Selections: 2.15: Record Breaker; 2.45: Idler; 3.20: Nufoudh; 5.00: Jeu de Vivre.