15:00 Musselburgh

Saturday 31 March 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

totesport.com Royal Mile Handicap

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 1m 47.33s

(11)

Ventura Knight²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

20/1

Ended last season with his first win over this far in a nursery over Doncaster's straight course. Has a wide draw to contend with here but if can get to the front, as he likes to do, then he could still give punters a good run for their money.

Form: 75351-4

(5)

Miss Bar Beach¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 94

12/1

Showed that she handles cut last year and also scored over this trip at Newcastle (AW) in August. Made frame in Group 3 company at Goodwood, her best effort yet, and if reappearing at that level then she would have a squeak here.

Form: 951384-

(4)

Chookie Dunedin¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 91

25/1

Scored on debut (6f, good) in May and was not disgraced in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes next time. However, was out of sorts in his last two starts and now returns after a winter break. Not badly treated if on song on handicap debut but bit to prove.

Form: 1070-

(3)

Ayutthaya¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 86

11/8

Has made a little improvement with each start and scored over this trip (heavy) at Chester in September with a bit in hand. Not seen since and now makes handicap debut from what looks a potentially an attractive mark. Interesting.

Form: 221-

(2)

Book of Dreams¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86| D

6/1

Won a novices' event at Nottingham (6f, heavy) on debut in August and improved on that over 7f at Chelmsford. Returned from winter break/gelding operation and scored by a short head over 1m at Chelmsford last time. Up 3lb for that and has claims.

Form: 12246-1

(1)

Joe's Spirit^h⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| BF

25/1

0-4 on turf, having won twice at Chelmsford (AW, 6f/7f) last year. Was well held on both tries on good to soft, which is a concern going into this, though is probably capable of some improvement, perhaps more so after this first run for this yard.

Form: 3410-24

(10)

Indomeneo¹⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

6/1

Three of his four wins have been on soft ground, including over this trip at Ripon in September. Is 5lb higher going into this but there looks likely to be more to come and if ready first time, he has claims if overcoming wide draw.

Form: 212611-

(8)

Breaking Records^h²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 83

11/1

Won a Wolverhampton maiden (7f, AW) last month and continued to improve last time despite the defeat at Chelmsford. Makes his first start on turf/handicap debut today from 3lb higher and is not ruled out if handling these conditions.

Form: 5-412

(9)

Hard Graft⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: A Mullen| T: D H Brown| OR: 80

25/1

Has scored over both 6f/7f at Southwell in recent months. This is a much tougher race than his latest win and although he has gone up just 4lb for that, he has some improving to do.

Form: 701-331

(7)

Shuhood¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: Ian Williams| OR: 79

14/1

Scored at Redcar (7f, good to soft) in October and improved on that last time out at Chelmsford (1m, AW) when beaten less than 2L. Still scope for improvement and will need some of that to figure in this more competitive race.

Form: 01-33

(12)

Chingachgook⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76

25/1

Yet to get off the mark in four AW runs, his best effort being at Newcastle (7f) in January. Disappointed on handicap debut back there from 1lb higher than today last time out, so has plenty to prove on that evidence.

Form: 34-24

Non-Runners

(6)

Fake News²¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: T D Barron J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Ayutthaya (11/8), Book of Dreams (6/1), Indomeneo (6/1), Fake News (6/1), Breaking Records (11/1), Miss Bar Beach (12/1), Shuhood (14/1), Ventura Knight (20/1), Chingachgook (25/1), Chookie Dunedin (25/1), Joe's Spirit (25/1), Hard Graft (25/1)

Breaking Records is going the right way and could get involved here, though pedigree suggests that ground on the slow side of good is a concern. Indomeneo, on the other hand, won't mind any more rain and if ready to do himself justice he could go close if overcoming a wide draw. Book Of Dreams and Fake News are others with claims, though preference is for AYUTTHAYA, who looks potentially well handicapped on his debut in this sphere and won't mind the ease in the ground.