15:00 Musselburgh
Wednesday 1 March 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
totequadpot At betfred.com Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 180y | Good | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 55.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
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C&D winner in December 2016, but was beaten when falling (upped 8lb) back at this track on New Years Day. The handicapper has reacted by reducing his rating back to 116, which is just 3lb above his last winning mark, but he still concedes weight all round today.
Mark slowly rises for a string of consistent course efforts (runner up three times here) since winning at Bangor in October 2016. Renews rivalry with December conqueror Kentucky Star with regular front running tactics seemingly certain.
In good form in the spring of 2016, being runner-up three times in succession, twice over a similar trip. However, finds winning difficult with the last one of four career successes coming in August 2013. Needs to sustain his effort for longer than he did at Catterick last month.
Only successes so far came on quick ground in the autumn 2013 for Emma Lavelle. Disappointing when returning from a 14 month break at Worcester in June 2015 and absent for another 20 months before being pulled up on debut for this trainer at Carlisle last month.
Ten race maiden who finished 13 of 14 on his last run at Down Royal in January seemingly showing little enthusiasm throughout. Possible that he did need that return to the track nevertheless, and has been placed over shorter trips than this in the past.
Fell heavily at the seventh on just his second run over fences at this track on New Years Day, and reverts to hurdles given a short break to get over that experience. A winner over hurdles at Perth in June 2016 (2m4f), he was pulled up on his last two starts over the smaller obstacles, but is now just 2lb above that winning mark.
Raised 5lb for a decisive C&D success in January (beat Miss Barbossa who runs in the 5.00pm race), but looks capable of another bold effort in a race which won't take much winning with his trainer saddling a winner at Ayr on Monday. Not hard to be impressed by the way he has bounced back from a chunk of time off the track (May 2015 to November 2016), and could well follow up.
Found in the market (16/1 to 10/1) and did exactly what his name suggested when wearing the first time cheek-pieces (retained) in a Fakenham novices handicap hurdle last month. 6lb higher today and a different track, but the combination of ground and trip should suit.
Nine race maiden, but quite possibly would have won at Ayr in December (2m3f) but for her rider becoming unbalanced at the last and somewhat harshly raised 5lb for that run. A less positive effort at Newcastle followed on testing ground and truthfully this new trip looks plenty far enough for her.
One from 23 over hurdles, and returns having been off since October 2016 looking particularly vulnerable over this sort of trip. Others preferred despite leading Northern jumps rider booked to take the mount.
Forecasts
Shantou Tiger (5/1), Wake Your Dreams (11/2), Down Time (11/2), Areema (6/1), Improved (6/1), Pulpitarian (8/1), Kentucky Star (17/2), Buckled (12/1), Pretty Miss Mahler (18/1), Staigue Fort (100/1)
A golden opportunity for PULPITARIAN to follow up a recent C&D success from a 5lb higher mark with ground conditions seemingly ideal. He has made an impressive return to the track from a lengthy absence this campaign, and whilst he probably didn't beat all that much last time, the manner of his victory was pleasing. Kentucky Star is feared despite top-weight whilst more market support for Improved could prove particularly telling.
1. Pulpitarian
2. Improved
3. Kentucky Star
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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