18:00 Musselburgh

Friday 2 August 2019

All17:3018:0018:3519:1019:4020:1020:40

Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes Handicap

Off time: 18:02 | Winning time: 1m 28.17s

(8)

Tukhoom^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| D

10/3

Due to rise 4lb in the future he's runs consistently well since winning a Redcar 7f claiming event for his previous stable. Latest run at Leicester showed him in a good light (slightly better grade); should make an impact in this.

Form: 331542

(6)

Theodorico⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Victor Santos⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 75| D

14/1

On a losing run that is starting to look quite significant now although he has dropped to a workable mark for this yard (only second run for them). Usually ridden prominently and not badly berthed to be able to do so here; others appeal more.

Form: 45-9704

(9)

Jacob Black¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 72| CD

20/1

Needs very little introduction at this venue having won here four times (3-9 over C&D). Often blights his runs and makes life hard for himself these days with slow starts; ran poorly last time out. Back on his last winning mark, needs to bounce back.

Form: 346370

(4)

Black Friday^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 71

20/1

May well have needed the run on the AW last time (had been off nine months); also ran with headgear. Yet to win a race (0-9) but has shown enough ability to do so; has fared well on his second start in previous two seasons (third twice).

Form: 0/0342-8

(5)

Make Me⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 68| D

11/1

Not really had events go his way this year having shown some useful form in handicaps although he's yet to win one. Race may have come too soon when he disappointed at Haydock last time; better judged on earlier efforts and dropped 3lb.

Form: 21-3599

(12)

Smugglers Creek^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 66| D

50/1

Doesn't have the best record around here (0-5) and has a tough outside draw to cope with on this occasion (may jeopardise his ability to lead). Unable to get to the front last time when finishing well beaten at Ayr (7f); opposed for now.

Form: 457107

(1)

Aliento²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: G Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 64| BF| D

5/1

Yet to run here, has been in good form in her two outings for this yard winning over 7f in her debut at Thirsk before backing that up with a respectable third last time. Only narrowly touched off at Catterick she comes here well drawn; shortlisted.

Form: 2595-13

(7)

Lucky Violet^h¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: K Stott| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 63| CD

8/1

Three-time course winner (once over C&D) with two of those wins coming back-to-back over 1m around this time last year. Yet to win this year but is threatening to do her last run suggesting that another course victory might not be far away.

Form: 273455

(2)

Explain^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 63| D

20/1

Well drawn (0-3 around here), certainly becoming well handicapped (9lb below his last winning mark) running well enough last time. Travels well but often doesn't convince with his finishing effort, could get this run to suit if he puts it all in.

Form: 055505

(3)

Colour Contrast^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 60| CD

11/1

Took an age to win a race often snatching defeat from the jaws of victory but his two victorious efforts have come over C&D earlier in the year. Rather reverted to type since but generally runs his race despite his obvious quirks.

Form: 118454

(10)

Etikaal³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: D Fentiman| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 55| D

13/2

Penalised 5lb for his Yarmouth win earlier in the week cashing in on a promising effort the time before off a much-reduced mark. Won off a mark 3lb higher last year so should be able to cope with this mark but hasn't fared so well with the draw.

Form: 860921

(11)

Donnelly's Rainbow¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Nathan Evans| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 59| D

7/1

Course regular is yet to win here despite plenty of promising placed efforts but has at least rediscovered the winning habit of late (took an Ayr 7f handicap that unfolded perfectly). Unlucky here last time; thriving but needs some luck in-running.

Form: 243313

Forecasts

Tukhoom (10/3), Aliento (5/1), Etikaal (13/2), Donnelly's Rainbow (7/1), Lucky Violet (8/1), Colour Contrast (11/1), Make Me (11/1), Theodorico (14/1), Black Friday (20/1), Explain (20/1), Jacob Black (20/1), Smugglers Creek (50/1)

A competitive contest for the grade with quite a few that have been in good form and another one or two that are threatening to come good shortly. Lucky Violet would very much be covered in the latter category shaping well over C&D last time behind and improving three-year-old with the always seemingly unlucky Donnelly’s Rainbow in third; both are sure to run sound races again. Tukhoom is still seeking a handicap win but can’t be far away from gaining one based on his recent form while Explain is attractively weighted if he could be fully trusted in a finish. Both ALIENTO and Etikaal have been in good form of late and look two of the major players with the Dods runner marginally favoured.