14:15 Musselburgh
Monday 18 December 2017
All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:20
Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 3f 81y | Good | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 41.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Never really fulfilled his promise when with Paul Nicholls and started to look to have some attitude issues. Finished well held on his first run for this yard at Sedgefield; dropped another 3lb here but one who is best treated with caution.
Landed a hurdle and a chase earlier in the year showing improved form over fences jumping well. Has looked amiss since that win though (given a break) falling first time out and then finishing well held last time (had a breathing issue); tough task back over hurdles off this mark.
Habitual front runner who was given a well-judged ride to resume winning ways at Bangor in October on his penultimate start (jumped better than usual). Beat a well-in rival on that occasion and 8lb last time out in a better race he struggled. Should be suited by this track if getting an easy lead.
Fairly lightly raced these days but capable of some decent form still (won a Class 2 Aintree handicap in May 2016) but had looked high enough in the weights over hurdles. Switched to fences here last time and scored a comfortable win off this mark; may still have some scope over hurdles.
A winner under today's rider here in March over further off a 10lb lower mark he showed the benefit of his reappearance when appreciating the better ground at Kelso to win a handicap off 107. Only beaten by a reviving stable switcher last time here over further and still figure on a fair mark.
Given a chance by the handicapper he looked a slow burner who sprang to life at Catterick last time over a similar trip (7lb lower there). Suited by the way the race was run there (came from a fair way back) and may well be vulnerable off a mark such as this in a better grade.
Looked a good prospect when he won on his GB debut at Perth after winning a juvenile bumper in France in the summer for his previous trainer. Disappointed straight after that (tried in Listed company) but got back on track last time at Hexham and makes his handicap debut here.
Getting a bit long in the tooth now and entering the veteran stage but still capable of winning although his last winning hurdle run was about a year ago off a 1lb higher mark. Has won three times on the Flat since then but didn't quite finish off his race in lesser grade and over shorter here last time.
Non-Runners
5
Thorpe19
Weight: 11-0| Age: 7
T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Blair Campbell
NR
7
Benny's Secret37
Weight: 10-11| Age: 7
T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander
NR
11
Strait Of Magellan17
Weight: 10-3| Age: 5
T: N G Richards J: Craig Nichol
NR
Forecasts
Romulus Du Donjon (3/1), Benny's Secret (3/1), Man Look (7/2), Buckled (4/1), Nathans Pride (6/1), Jonny Delta (13/2), Eneko (8/1), Rainy City (14/1), Thorpe (14/1), Strait Of Magellan (25/1), Work Du Breteau (40/1)
A race that has a competitive feel about it and there are a few in this that will fancy their chances but it does give BENNY’S SECRET a good chance to complete his hat-trick. An 8lb rise makes this tougher but he impressed last time with the way that he went through his race and a better gallop here will suit him even better. Nathans Pride switches back to hurdles from winning over fences here last time and he must be given a chance despite the change of discipline. Eneko is a fascinating handicap debutante and he along with Buckled are likely to play a prominent part despite the latter looking as though he might be better over a shade further. You can’t write off the old boy Johnny Delta around a course that he always runs well over with Romulus Du Donjon another to note despite his increased weight.
- Benny's Secret
- Buckled
- Nathans Pride
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
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