Moffatt masters Musselburgh

The sun shone and the crowds flocked to Musselburgh's family day meeting, which got under way with James Moffatt's Masterofceremonies gaining a dramatic success under Royston Ffrench in the toteplacepot Selling Stakes.

The winner was offered at 999-1 in running on the exchanges at one stage, and his chance did not appear at all bright with a quarter of a mile a race to race as he was still last of all.

But he suddenly picked up and staying on strongly he swept through to lead inside the final furlong, eventually going away to pass the post with one and three-quarter lengths to spare over Lucayan Dancer.

Moffatt, who saddles the favourite Chief Dan George in Saturday's Coral Scottish National, retained Masterofceremonies (9-1) without a bid, and said: "That was good, it is his owner Alan Macleod's first winner and he has been very patient as the horse has had all sorts of problems.

"We thought he would do well as a jumper but he did not like hurdles so it is nice to see him come and win on the Flat for him."

Phillip Makin has wasted no time in getting back among the winners after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury and was seen to good effect again as he brought Jaconet home in front in the toteswinger Handicap.

Makin brought the David Barron-trained filly with a well-timed run to lead well inside the final furlong and score by a length from Sandwith, with Steelcut three-quarters of a length away in third.

The winner is trained by David Barron, who said of the 11-2 joint-favourite: "She is a quite a nice filly and we will see what the handicapper does with her now before we decide what to do.

"She has won five of her last seven races now so we can't complain."