12:30 Musselburgh

Tuesday 1 January 2019

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

Betway First Foot Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 3m 36.5s

Liva^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117| CD

5/2

Won twice on Flat for Eve Johnson Houghton at up to 1m2f and improved on debut second over timber to win over C&D last time out, seemingly with plenty in hand. Penalised but has ability and sets a fair standard.

Form: 21

Al Kherb²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C R King| T: J & S Quinn

6/4

2-4 over middle distances on Flat for Roger Charlton and joined new connections for 40,000 guineas in November. Shaped with promise when third on hurdles bow at Market Rasen four weeks ago and improvement anticipated.

Form: 3

Hannon^t¹²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: J C McConnell

7/2

Canford Cliffs gelding who failed to race on Flat but belied odds of 33/1 when runner-up on hurdles bow at Down Royal in August for previous handler. Debut here for new yard who send him over from Ireland for this event.

Form: 2

Marble Bar^h1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine

40/1

1m2f handicapper on Flat for Henry Candy but was 0-10 in that sphere. Two starts over hurdles for new yard and has looked modest, finishing a long way behind Liva over C&D last time.

Form: 76

Sarvi³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie| OR: 104

11/2

Won over 1m2f at Ayr this summer and beaten little mroe than four lengths by Liva over C&D last month. 7lb better off now but a little disappointing over 2m2f here recently. Drop back in trip makes sense and lokos a player getting weight.

Form: 424

So Enjoy³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Nash

18/1

Irish maiden on Flat and over hurdles, but didn't run badly in Grade 3 hurdle last month at Fairyhouse. This represents a big drop in class so well worth checking for market interest down in grade. Jockey booking catches the eye as well.

Form: 06

Villiersdorp^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine

50/1

Not disgraced in two bumpers showing enough to suggest she can win a race or two in due course. Expected to be better for this first experience over hurdles though unless market suggests otherwise.

Form: 85

Non-Runners

Thunderhooves¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: J Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Al Kherb (6/4), Liva (5/2), Hannon (7/2), Sarvi (11/2), So Enjoy (18/1), Marble Bar (40/1), Villiersdorp (50/1), Thunderhooves (66/1)

LIVA won with plenty to spare over C&D last time so despite being worse off at the weights with Sarvi he can confirm the placings and might prove to be useful. Sarvi has since run below expectations just a few days ago and turns out again quickly. Al Kherb, a fair sort on the level, may prove the biggest danger after a promising first hurdles run at Market Rasen, while Irish raiders So Enjoy and Hannon are both respected.