18:35 Musselburgh

Friday 2 August 2019

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

Geoghegans Centenary Handicap

Off time: 18:38 | Winning time: 58.86s

(9)

Jabbarockie²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 87| D

10/11

Hard to fault his consistency this year in sprint handicaps this season; went close to adding a second deserved victory last time when just touched off a York (5f). Pushed up the weights without winning but should cope with this mark; leading player.

Form: 233122

(8)

Machree²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 86| D

10/1

Found Class 2 level far too competitive for her last time at Ascot but ought to be capable of holding her own in this grade. Showed her best form when winning at Redcar in May although a 6lb mark gives her more to do now; well drawn.

Form: 151-910

(6)

Royal Brave⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 85| CD

8/1

Five-time C&D winner who was third in this last year (off 2lb lower) but hasn't really come to the boil this year despite two runs at his favourite track. Never really got involved at Ripon over 6f last time; has slipped below his last winning mark.

Form: 80-4889

(5)

War Whisper²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 82| BF| D

9/2

Reproduced the best of his 2018 form when second at Beverley last time to Only Spoofing who has been in a rich vein of form (winner again since). A repeat of that run would certainly put him in the equation; well up to winning off this mark.

Form: 69-6662

(10)

Shining Armor¹⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 83| D

20/1

Newmarket-based trainer who does well with his horses in these colours at this track although this one will need to find some form. Ran well as a juvenile (four-time nursery winner); well berthed but does need to show more than of late.

Form: 500749

(2)

Excessable^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| CD

13/2

Winner of this last year he now resides on the same mark although he's not fared that well in terms of a stalls berth. Excuses can be found for his last two defeats having shown promise at York in June when he was off this same mark; respected.

Form: 643283

(7)

Diamonique¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 75| CD

14/1

Scored twice as a juvenile, once over C&D but hasn't quite got his act together this season returning from a break of late with just a couple of respectable efforts. Likely to find this examination against his elders a little too tough.

Form: 176-923

Non-Runners

(1)

Lahore¹²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: Phillip Makin J: S H James

(3)

Saaheq³

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: M Appleby J: Sean Davis

(4)

Primo's Comet²⁶

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: J S Goldie J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

Jabbarockie (10/11), Saaheq (4/1), War Whisper (9/2), Lahore (5/1), Excessable (13/2), Royal Brave (8/1), Machree (10/1), Primo's Comet (10/1), Diamonique (14/1), Shining Armor (20/1)

An interesting and complex sprint to unravel with last year’s winner Excessable bidding to gain his first win since then off the same mark although the draw looks a hinderance. Lahore is another who will have to overcome a low draw along with Saaheq with those drawn higher preferred. Jabbarockie has to hold a leading chance based on his 5f form this year (233122) although the handicapper keeps nudging him up for his non-winning efforts and because of that WAR WHISPER is just given the edge here. Paul Midgley’s charge ran into a real improver last time but lost no caste in defeat to one who has won again since and he meets no such types here despite the depth in the field.