totepool Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 3m 37.4s

Captain Woodie⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Pushed out and despite drifting right inside the final furlong, had plenty left to hold off Cockney Wren by a neck on NHF debut at Taunton (Good to Firm) in early December. Cost €125,000 as a three-year-old, and this similar track should suit, but any real softening of the ground could be a concern (or an unknown at the very least).

Form:

Ballyvic Boru⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Kaine Wood⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison

10/1

Point-to-Point winner who was unsold (£48,000) at Cheltenham in November 2016, but was picked up privately by these connections soon after. Keen on British debut at Sedgefield on Boxing Day in testing Good to Soft ground, he was no match for all the way winner Helmsley Lad. Whilst that winner is no star, he was a year older than this gelding, and much more experienced, so improvement (which is needed) can be expected.

Form: 61

Competition^t1⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: B Rothwell

50/1

A good second to clear winner Happy Hollow on NHF debut at Wetherby (Good to Soft) in March 2016, he was soon struggling and tailed off on his return at Ayr in December. Wears the first time tongue tie today, so some breathing problems are a possibility, and needs to bounce back.

Form: 2-0

Wemyss Point⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby

22/1

Had the misfortune to meet the well backed Senatus in an otherwise weak looking maiden NHF race over C&D in early November. However, he ran well enough on debut despite being beaten by five lengths, but meets similar talented looking rivals today.

Form:

Beyond The Clouds³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: K A Ryan

4/6

Impossible not to be massively impressed by this son of Peintre Celebre's winning C&D debut early last month. A ready 12 length winner, this race was the obvious next target, and a reproduction of that showing will make him very hard to beat despite the penalty.

Form: 1

Amateur⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: D C Costello| T: G A Harker

5/1

Made a fair debut for Olly Williams on the Lingfield Polytrack in December when getting within three quarters of a length of Blazon. Makes his debut for a new yard today, with any significant softening of the ground a potential concern.

Form: 2

Non-Runners

Wee Bogus

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: A C Whillans J: Callum Whillans

Forecasts

Beyond The Clouds (4/6), Captain Woodie (7/2), Amateur (5/1), Ballyvic Boru (10/1), Wee Bogus (16/1), Wemyss Point (22/1), Competition (50/1)

The last race on a busy weekend of action at Musselburgh where the ground is likely to be at it's worst if the forecast rain arrives, so it's worth bearing this in mind in assessing the respective chances of these youngsters. Captain Woodle represents a strong stable and left plenty to work on from his winning debut at Taunton, but it'll be interesting to see if he stands his ground in possible testing conditions. Ballyvic Boru should improve for the benefit of his Sedgefield experience, but that form isn't the strongest, but already a winner over 3m in PTP's, deep ground won't be an issue for him. However, all being equal, it is difficult to look past C&D winner BEYOND THE CLOUDS who looks a very smart NHF prospect for Yorkshire handler Kevin Ryan. 1. Beyond The Clouds 2. Captain Woodie 3. Ballyvic Boru