16:30 Musselburgh

Wednesday 14 February 2018

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Champions League Betting At 188Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 6m 6.1s

Nefyn Bay^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105| C

4/1

In good form over fences of late and reverts to hurdles for first time since November, having dropped to what looks a good mark based on that recent chase form. Slight drop in grade another plus and enters calculations.

Form: 22-8521

Staigue Fort⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 104

20/1

Won twice over hurdles at up to 2m5½f for Emma Lavelle, and ran well over C&D (good) for this trainer last March. However, recent efforts below par, but on a competitive mark if he can bounce back.

Form: 48/P3-PP

Berkshire Downs^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 102

13/2

0-19 under rules and has been second six times from 13 attempts over hurdles, at up to 2m6½f. Yet to prove herself over this far, but may stay on this flat track. Conditions fine and on a decent mark again, which could spark a revival.

Form: 22P4-55

Wind Of Hope^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: A C Whillans| OR: 100| D

6/1

Lost a Sedgefield handicap (2m4f, soft) in the stewards' room on Boxing Day and couldn't reproduce that run from 5lb higher (today's mark) back there last time. Needs to find more to get his nose in front for a second time.

Form: P-P68D4

Rising Marienbard^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100| D

18/1

Won a maiden Irish point-to-point on his only start between the flags in 2016, but has shown little under rules from 2m-2m6½f. Slightly longer trip shouldn't be a problem, but mark looks stiff enough for handicap debut.

Form: 106-07

Professor Plum^v⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 100| C

9/2

Put in one of his better efforts when making the frame here over C&D (good) in November, but disappointing that he was pulled up at Catterick last time. Lack of consistency a concern, but can't rule out from this mark if on a going day.

Form: 3/5P-63P

Royal Mandate^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 97

11/2

Best of his two handicap runs so far was last time out when making the frame here over 2m3½f (soft). Ran as is this longer trip would suit him, so looks very interesting from same mark after those couple of sighters.

Form: F-3483

Ange Des Malberaux^b³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Ewart| OR: 93

10/1

Has won from 2m1f-2m4f and still has stamina to prove after not entirely convincing over C&D (good) in November. Those concerns surfaced again at Kelso last time and he has a bit to do despite latest 3lb drop to help.

Form: 430387

Witness^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 90

8/1

0-10 over fences since joining this trainer before the start of last season. Now reverts to hurdles from a mark 11lb lower than his last chase run on New Year's Day. Plenty to prove, including stamina.

Form: P34-634

Dutch Canyon²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 76

18/1

0-25 under rules. Has made the frame just three times over hurdles, including over C&D (good to soft) on New Year's Day, from a mark of 70. Beaten 21L back here last time and is readily opposed from 3lb 'wrong'.

Form: 34-6535

Dolly's Dot¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 74

80/1

Has shown little worthwhile form so far, though she does stay this far as evidenced from her point-to-point form. Step up in trip may help, but yet to make the frame and up against it from 5lb out of the handicap.

Form: 34P-864

Forecasts

Nefyn Bay (4/1), Professor Plum (9/2), Royal Mandate (11/2), Wind Of Hope (6/1), Berkshire Downs (13/2), Witness (8/1), Ange Des Malberaux (10/1), Dutch Canyon (18/1), Rising Marienbard (18/1), Staigue Fort (20/1), Dolly's Dot (80/1)

ROYAL MANDATE is the suggestion here now that Rebecca Menzies steps him up in trip for his third handicap start. Conditions should be no problem for him and he should be capable of some improvement. Professor Plum could be a danger if he is back to some sort of form, but he has been unreliable of late, while Wind Of Hope looks in need of something extra from this mark. A revival from Berkshire Downs looks possible, while Nefyn Bay switches back to hurdles to try to take advantage of a decent mark and another well treated if he can get back to his best form is Staigue Fort.