Watch Racing UK With Free Trial Now Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 3m 39.23s

Environment Ally²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd

150/1

Always struggling from an early stage on debut (66/1) at Wetherby (2m, good) last month, so very difficult to envisage that he'll be anymore competitive at this much sharper track.

Form: 6

Frame Rate²³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine

28/1

Irish import who is yet to show any real promise for Iain Jardine; 50/1 when a well beaten sixth of eight on sole hurdles start at Perth (2m, good) in September, and looks safely held on that form by both Good Boy Alfie and Glenpark.

Form: 6

Good Boy Alfie⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 109

5/4

Two-time Flat winner (7f-1m1f); hasn't exactly made giant strides over hurdles so far, and it's debatable as to whether or not he really stays 2m, but has the measure of both Glenpark and Frame Rate on Perth form; stablemate of Valkenburg.

Form: 33

Needs To Be Seen^b1³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: J Ryan

7/2

Bought for 70,000gns in July 2018 (ex Joseph O'Brien-trained), but hasn't really kicked on in four starts for this trainer (has run twice over hurdles); blinkers are now applied; trainer is also represented by Thunderhooves.

Form: 34

Valkenburg^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish

9/2

Made all of the running, staying on strongly when springing a 28/1 surprise on the Flat at Catterick (1m4f, good to firm) last month; has run reasonably since, and now switches to hurdling at a track which should suit; stablemate of Good Boy Alfie.

Form:

Sarvi²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie

7/2

Took advantage of an ease in the weights to score over 1m2f on the Flat at Ayr (soft) in September, but beaten off her revised mark since; makes her hurdling debut at a sharp track, albeit with stamina flaws still a possible concern.

Form:

Non-Runners

Glenpark⁴²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 3

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Thunderhooves³⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 3

T: J Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Good Boy Alfie (5/4), Needs To Be Seen (7/2), Sarvi (7/2), Glenpark (4/1), Valkenburg (9/2), Frame Rate (28/1), Thunderhooves (33/1), Environment Ally (150/1)

A very winnable juvenile hurdle, with a few of these horses probably debatable enough stayers even on quick ground at a sharp track like Musselburgh. Good Boy Alfie falls into that category, and he doesn't set the bar overly high on balance, but he should have the measure of both Glenpark and Frame Rate. Therefore, a clear preference is for his stablemate VALKENBURG. He was a shock winner on the Flat at Catterick last month, and being the type who likes to get on with things from the outset, could potentially seek to make all on hurdles bow at a track which should suit.