16:40 Musselburgh

Friday 10 August 2018

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

Watermans Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 43.56s

(6)

Magnum^b,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: T Eaves| T: S Corbett| OR: 60

40/1

Steps down markedly in grade (ran in 0-80 last time) but looks out of sorts in both codes at the moment. Finished tailed-off last time and for all he was outclassed not hard to look elsewhere with a career record that reads 0-11 on the Flat.

Form: 0663/06

(7)

Trautmann^p,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: R Menzies| OR: 57| CD

7/2

Had the two Dalgleish horses behind him when getting off the mark in good style over C&D off a 5lb lower mark last time (should confirm form). Pace (strong) suited him on that occasion and likely to get a similar scenario having run well here before.

Form: 346261

(10)

Falcon's Fire⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 54| CD

7/1

Inconsistent/temperamental sort who managed to end a long losing run over C&D in July but has rather reverted to type since including when beaten by Trautmann. Typically got well behind last time before running on late; not one to trust.

Form: 021564

(5)

Melabi¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Aspell| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 53| D

18/1

Losing run is starting to grow (now stands at 14) although he did run one of his better races last time on the Tapeta but was no threat to the principals. Form has a very uneven profile which basically underlines that he's an inconsistent sort.

Form: 746254

(1)

Schindlers Ark^b,t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: G Elliott| OR: 49

12/1

Novice hurdle winner (debut for yard) he's only run twice on the Flat for this stable and been below-par both times. Latest came in a Killarney handicap (1m3f, good) off a mark of 50 in this headgear combination; market support needed.

Form: 505-800

(9)

New Abbey Angel³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 49

5/2

A record of 1-41 on the Flat with his only win coming in February 2016 and has flattered only to deceive on many occasions. Summed up by his three runner-up slots in July one of which was behind Trautmann; likely to find one too good again.

Form: 542224

(2)

Enemy Of The State^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 45

10/1

Managed to sneak into the frame at Hamilton earlier in the year in a similar sort of contest and returns to this class after being given stiffer tests the last twice. Looks fairly limited though and would need a few to run below expectations.

Form: 984348

(4)

Breton Blues³³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: F Watson| OR: 45

66/1

Record now stands at 0-15 and hard to find any positive aspects of his latest few starts which have been punctuated by some fairly long absences. Would be a surprise winner over a trip that looks to stretch him.

Form: 0/000-06

(8)

Mama Said⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 55

20/1

Hope look pinned on a step up in trip bringing about some improvement here as she's look fairly limited in four starts so far. Well below any sort of previous form on her handicap debut at Hamilton last time and hard to fashion a case for her.

Form: 6840

(3)

Blue Havana²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 55| BF

3/1

Had started to put together a body of placed efforts that suggested she could win a race before running well below-par behind three of these at Hamilton. Had been creeping up the weights though but yard in good form and deserves another chance.

Form: 9-52236

Forecasts

New Abbey Angel (5/2), Blue Havana (3/1), Trautmann (7/2), Falcon's Fire (7/1), Enemy Of The State (10/1), Schindlers Ark (12/1), Melabi (18/1), Mama Said (20/1), Magnum (40/1), Breton Blues (66/1)

This race has proved to be a good one for the market leaders with the favourite winning for the past two years and TRAUTMANN is likely to be amongst those to the fore in the betting. His win over C&D when he put away a couple of today’s rivals looks a sound piece of form and he can confirm those placings as he attempts to follow up. Blue Havana has crept up the handicap without winning and ran below-par last time but on her earlier form and with Quinn team in great form she deserves another chance. Melabi would have a squeak on his best form with the Gordon Elliott runner Schindlers Ark hard to fancy on form but worthy of respect if there is market support.