17:00 Musselburgh
Wednesday 1 March 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Mares' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3f 81y | Good | 7 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 4m 56.1s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Ex French racer (G.Cherel), and a three time winning chaser from 13 starts over fences that side of the Channel. Took a short while to adjust to life in Scotland after switching to this trainer and was pulled up in a Class 3 hurdle at Haydock in November, but a drop in trip and grade saw her off the mark over hurdles (novices) at Kelso in December. Runs from the same mark (105) on drying ground.
Finished second on her second hurdles start in a 2m5f mares maiden at Downpatrick in March 2016, but hasn't been as promising since, including in a Down Royal handicap, and was only sixth of 12 when last seen on Boxing Day in a Down Royal maiden hurdle.
Has been a disappointment since notching a quick double at Hexham and Southwell in March 2016, with her attitude appearing questionable on occasions (refused over fences at Uttoxeter in January). Folded tamely back over hurdles when last seen at Sedgefield last month and has questions to answer for now.
Hit hard by the handicapper following a rich vein of form at Kelso in late 2015 and has been tried over fences without any signs of appreciation this season. Absent since late December when reverted to hurdles, but dropped another 4lb since with this trip in range at this sharp track.
Twice placed from a 3lb higher mark at Hexham during a spring campaign last season, but pulled up on both her starts this winter, so needs to show more on ground which should suit.
First time cheek-pieces are added to a tongue tie for a mare who has run eight times since winning at Stratford in June 2016 (2m2f mares novices hurdle). Unable to capitalise on her falling handicap mark (100 to 86) and if truth is told, unlikely to do so today.
Placed on both runs at this track, and got to within just over three lengths of clear winner Pulpitarian over a much longer trip at this track in January, so whether a drop in trip is required is open to debate. Remains a maiden and is probably of limited ability with the first time cheek-pieces applied today.
Forecasts
Miss Barbossa (5/2), Katie's Hen (3/1), My Little Cracker (7/2), Alizee De Janeiro (6/1), Jolie Crickette (7/1), Steel's Cotton (12/1), Cupid's Quest (25/1)
Jolie Crickette carries top-weight for a reason. She was a fairly useful chaser in France, and was off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles in the UK for Nick Alexander. Her mark was unadjusted for that Kelso novice hurdle success, and she seemed to handle better ground well, although today's conditions will be the fastest she's ever raced on to date. Miss Barbossa has fair course form, but looks nothing special, so a chance is taken on ALIZEE DE JANEIRO given her declining mark. If today proves not to be her day, she's a horse to watch in the weeks ahead back over hurdles, as she knows how to win, but has been handicapped not to do so for quite a while now.
1. Alizee De Janeiro
2. Jolie Crickette
3. Miss Barbossa
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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