16:45 Musselburgh

Sunday 1 October 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Robert Purvis Plant Hire Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 3m 12.15s

(11)

Torremar^p⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 69| D

14/1

Just the one career win and beaten a long way the last twice. Effective on any ground but couldn't make case for him based on last two runs.

Form: 7-74398

(9)

Bibliotheca²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: J F Egan| T: W P Browne| OR: 68

9/2

Heavily backed favourite but beaten out of sight in only previous UK race on the AW in March. Ran a couple of decent races at Ballinrobe mid-summer and no surprise if she goes well here.

Form: 3-92234

(7)

Stanarley Pic¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Neil Farley| T: Sally Haynes| OR: 62| BF| D

15/2

Stays 2m and handles soft ground. In good heart of late and followed up Redcar win with a close second last time out. 1lb higher today but still ought to go well.

Form: 737412

(6)

Sheriff Garrett⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| D

9/2

Won twice in quick succession in the summer but handicapper appeared to have his measure of late. 24L fifth of seven last time uninspiring and looks to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 121545

(1)

Falcon's Fire^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 61| C

14/1

This will be his 20th race of the season yet it remains a winless one. Latest 3lb drop puts him 9lb below last winning mark but appeared a non-stayer over this distance in past.

Form: 935595

(5)

London Glory^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: D Thompson| OR: 61

5/1

Bounced back after a break under today's jockey for first time last time out. Campaigned over several different trips of late (last win 1m4f). Contender here but needs to delivered very late.

Form: 436601

(3)

Optima Petamus^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: P Holmes| OR: 60

50/1

Tries a new trip today but 2017 form moderate both on the level and over hurdles. Career low mark here but not won since 2015.

Form: 962-887

(13)

Ghostly Arc³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mathers| T: N Wilson| OR: 60| C

20/1

Best when able to dictate and yet to prove he gets this far in a truly run contest. Returned from almost six months off to run a decent race at Carlisle (1m3f, good-to-soft).

Form: 43529-5

(2)

Jonny Delta²³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 59| CD

20/1

Beat Question Of Faith at Musselburgh in July 11lb and that horse has made that effort look good since. Needs to bounce back from a dismal run three weeks ago and yard are not in the best of form.

Form: 761326

(4)

Traditional Dancer^b²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 52

4/1

Won three times over hurdles but remains a maiden on the flat. 2L third of 13 on the AW at Newcastle latest a fair effort over 2m. Will handle step back in trip and could go well here.

Form: 0/4-8263

(8)

Wee Bogus^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 52

50/1

Unplaced in all eight career starts and beaten in excess of 15L last three times. Down 5lb today but hard to fancy nevertheless.

Form: 94576

(10)

Archibelle³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 58

33/1

Maiden of nine races with an alarming tendency to hang quite violently left under pressure. Very difficult task for 7lb claiming rider.

Form: 234658

(12)

Schmooze²³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 47

33/1

Over two years since last win and little encouragement in latest start when 18½ fifth of eight over C&D. 4lb out of the handicap here and hard to envisage her involved in the finish.

Form: 823685

Forecasts

Traditional Dancer (4/1), Sheriff Garrett (9/2), Bibliotheca (9/2), London Glory (5/1), Stanarley Pic (15/2), Falcon's Fire (14/1), Torremar (14/1), Jonny Delta (20/1), Ghostly Arc (20/1), Schmooze (33/1), Archibelle (33/1), Wee Bogus (50/1), Optima Petamus (50/1)

In a race where recent form is generally poor it's hard to envisage STANARLEY PIC not going close. London Glory won last time out and Joe Fanning may be the key to this difficult ride. Traditional Dancer is better over hurdles but ran well enough latest to suggest he will be in the mix here.