17:15 Musselburgh

Friday 10 August 2018

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

Western Toyota Hilux Handicap

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 3m 29.8s

(3)

Hurricane Volta^b,t⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 65

14/1

First run on the Flat for this yard having run well once over hurdles for them since joining from Peter Hedger (bought cheaply; £800). Judged on his previous Flat form he's on a competitive mark; one of two runners for the trainer.

Form: 3200/3-0

(4)

Jan Smuts^p,t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: W Storey| OR: 56| CD

12/1

Gained a third C&D win recently by 6L ending a long losing run in a contest that took very little wining off a very low mark. Soundly beaten over C&D last time in a much better event off effectively a 12lb higher mark; faces another stiff task.

Form: 606414

(2)

Kuiper Belt^t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Spencer| T: G Elliott| OR: 53

4/7

Most recent form has come over hurdles with back-to-back wins at Perth over the same trip (second one on debut for this yard). Failed to make much impression when starting his career on the Flat (didn't look the finished article); on a good mark.

Form: 70/696-

(1)

Love Candy^p1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: S A Gray| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 49

33/1

Looked as though she needed the outing on her debut for this yard having previously been with Sally Haynes (offered glimmers of ability while there). Only lightly-raced and cheekpieces on for the first-time (up in trip); others have better claims.

Form: 936-607

(6)

Pantomime^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R Menzies| OR: 49| D

5/1

This is very much her grade and the addition of a tongue-tie enabled her to see out this trip to win off a 3lb lower mark at Wetherby in June. Tried over hurdles since she wasn't beaten far back on the Flat last time; winning rider back on board.

Form: 434815

(5)

Cosmic Tigress²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: L Morris| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 48| CD

8/1

C&D winner on her first run here (off 55) she has plenty of other modest form at the track over various trips but has underachieved this year. Well weighted on last year's Flat efforts (plus her hurdles form); yard in form, not totally written off.

Form: 46-8675

(7)

Dizoard³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 45

25/1

Maiden who is 0-9 on the Flat who lost any winning chance when blowing the start over C&D last time before making up late ground under pressure to finish a modest 3rd. Trainer won this last year with a much more fancied runner; repeat unlikely.

Form: 75/089-3

Forecasts

Kuiper Belt (4/7), Pantomime (5/1), Cosmic Tigress (8/1), Jan Smuts (12/1), Hurricane Volta (14/1), Dizoard (25/1), Love Candy (33/1)

This looks a fairly weak ending to the card with Gordon Elliot looking to have a good chance of landing a 1-2 via the well handicapped winning hurdler KUIPER BELT and Hurricane Volta who could be on an equally competitive mark if rejuvenated by the trainer. Jan Smuts often runs his race around here and this is very much his trip but this mark looks tough for him these days and Pantomime with Paul Hanagan back on board appeals more. If there is one that is worth watching in the market then it’s Cosmic Tigress for the in-form Quinn barn and well weighted on some of her old form.