14:45 Musselburgh

Monday 10 December 2018

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:15

Best Jumps Action On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 47.45s

Traditional Dancer^b⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 127

11/1

Posted a good effort in this class over fences at Aintree in October and reverts to hurdles on a fair mark. The rider's claim is a further boost at the weights. One to consider.

Form: 3-21242

Sword Of Fate¹²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: L Kerr| OR: 125| BF

16/1

Registered three wins over fences earlier in the campaign but was a highly disappointing favourite when sent back over hurdles last time. Now has a bit to prove on debut for a new yard.

Form: 0-15114

Court Liability³⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 124

2/1

Won a bumper and both previous starts over hurdles, so is respected as one that is capable of holding his own. On the downside, he's been off since last November and may need his fitness topping up.

Form: 2/111-

Fly Vinnie³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 122| CD

28/1

Won well over C&D (made all) last November but has been below that standard in all three subsequent starts - the last of which was his return after wind surgery. The drop in trip may help but still has something to prove.

Form: 0/P198-5

Island Heights³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| CD

13/2

C&D winner last month and has a solid enough chance of making the frame from just a 2lb higher mark. Has won twice on the bounce before now and would have to be of interest if the betting market backs up his claims.

Form: 66/4-241

Montanna¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 121

10/1

Improved since joining his current yard and already has a couple of wins to his name from a light career over hurdles. Up significantly in trip but has sound place claims if he stays the distance.

Form: 115

Blunder Buss³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 121| C

9/1

Drops in class here after a sound display at Carlisle last month; finished mid division but was still in with a chance until the very late stages. A danger to all if able to dish out a repeat dose.

Form: 2331-35

Arthurs Secret¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118| C

4/1

Generally consistent and should strip fitter this time around. However, he's not the most fluent at his obstacles and you have to go back to 2015 to note his last win over hurdles (registered at this course). Others more convincing.

Form: 224-762

Craig Star^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| BF

12/1

Races from 2lb lower than his last winning mark and showed the benefit of his seasonal debut with a really solid effort last time out. Has been placed over this sort of distance, so has a good number of ticks in the right boxes.

Form: 6U-9582

Forecasts

Court Liability (2/1), Arthurs Secret (4/1), Island Heights (13/2), Blunder Buss (9/1), Montanna (10/1), Traditional Dancer (11/1), Craig Star (12/1), Sword Of Fate (16/1), Fly Vinnie (28/1)

There was a lot to like about the way BLUNDER BUSS ran in a better grade last time out and, even though he was eventually well held, he still showed sufficient enough promise to suggest his turn isn't too far away. Arthur's Secret is 3lb better off with the selection from the last time they encountered each other and may pose a threat if he's able to dig a bit deeper than he has of late. However, recent form suggests the likes of Island Heights and Traditional Dancer may be more capable of presenting a more sustained challenge on this occasion.