15:10 Musselburgh

Friday 10 August 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:15

Edgen Murray Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 1m 40.64s

(7)

Markhan^p,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: J P Spencer| T: G Elliott| OR: 65| D

6/4

Not won for this yard as yet but ran well in a Naas handicap (1m, good) that he won in 2016 (with David Marnane). Had run well the time before on the AW (Dundalk) looking better than his form figures suggest; looks well handicapped.

Form: 0-08733

(1)

Mamdood^b,t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: D Allan| T: S Corbett| OR: 64

25/1

Formerly with Richard Hannon he continues to look rather out of sorts for this yard including in this headgear combination the last twice. Got rather lit-up by the blinkers on the first occasion and something to prove even off a reduced mark.

Form: 060-770

(2)

Ravenhoe⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 60| C| D

5/1

Typically for one from this yard kept very busy (23 runs so far this year) and has paid his way with four victories. Not won since May though on his sole visit here but only 1lb above that winning mark and likely to pop up again at some point.

Form: 642745

(3)

Ascot Week^v1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 60| D

13/2

One of the recent winners that this yard have produced in a purple patch he took advantage of a much reduced mark to score at Newcastle (1m); had hardly beaten a rival all season. Visor on now (first-time) off a 3lb higher mark back on turf.

Form: 070891

(6)

Lotara¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 48

9/2

Still striving for a first turf win (0-16; 2-10 AW) but has finished runner-up the last twice on this surface and has looked better on those occasions with headgear off and upped to 1m. Only beaten by one that was better placed at Ayr last time.

Form: 379422

(4)

Newspeak^h¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: G Lee| T: F Watson| OR: 48

25/1

Yet to win a race 0-9 and has a rather undulating profile with his handicap efforts rather underwhelming although he would have needed the run last time (back from a year off). Flattered by his runs in maidens and still has something to prove.

Form: 40/720-7

(5)

Let Right Be Done^b,h¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45| C

16/1

Won here late last year but that was over 7f (soft) with the best placing he's returned over C&D being 3rd. That in fact was his best run of the season but he's hardly stepped forward from that run; better opposed than supported on balance.

Form: 836045

(8)

Eva Docc^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 46

15/2

Cheekpieces worn for the first-time on his last start are retained but her fortunes of late haven't really coincided with the better form of the yard. Her one standout effort this year (3/12 at Hamilton) hasn't been replicated in her last two starts.

Form: 778364

Forecasts

Markhan (6/4), Lotara (9/2), Ravenhoe (5/1), Ascot Week (13/2), Eva Docc (15/2), Let Right Be Done (16/1), Newspeak (25/1), Mamdood (25/1)

Gordon Elliott saddles a rare Scottish Flat runner here in the shape of the well handicapped MARKHAN who looks ready to strike off this mark with the trainer teaming up with Jamie Spencer for the first time since they landed the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot. John Quinn has his team in rude health and it’s interesting to see the headgear swapped to a visor now on Ascot Week after he scored on the AW last time; it now remains to be seen if he can hold his form on the turf. Ravenhoe is a tough sort who looks as though he could pop up again soon having scored on his only previous visit here while Lotara is running well of late and bids to go one better than her last two runs.