17:10 Musselburgh

Friday 9 August 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Miller Homes Ltd Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 56.02s

(2)

Flood Defence²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Phil Dennis| T: I Jardine| OR: 60

6/1

Made a fine return from an absence when second, albeit well-held, in 1m3f Hamilton handicap last month. Off the same mark for this and could be dangerous if she strips fitter but must give 4lb to nearest rival.

Form: 43-3652

(10)

Dew Pond^b,t⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 56| D

4/1

Largely consistent but form has started to plateau recently, including when 5L fifth in 1m4f Ripon handicap on Monday. Remains on the same mark and handicapper is taking no chances but claims on best form.

Form: 143265

(11)

Lyford¹¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: A C Whillans| OR: 56

25/1

Hasn't been seen on the Flat since September 2018 and had a failed spell over hurdles for Dan Skelton. Still above his last winning mark and makes his first start for this yard. Has a bit to prove.

Form: 523214-

(7)

Bogardus^b1²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: L Bailey| OR: 55

22/1

Good form on the Flat for one of his previous trainers but has been significantly out of form recently. Latest heavy defeat at Nottingham (1m6f, good) offers little appeal and needs to resurrect his best form to be competitive.

Form: 34-9070

(6)

Euro Implosion³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 62| BF

8/13

Failed to win in 10 starts to date but has been consistent this season, including good second in 1m4f Ripon handicap on Tuesday. Not penalised for that effort and the one to beat if he runs to his usual mark.

Form: 354332

(1)

Unite The Clans²⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Nathan Evans| T: A M Thomson| OR: 50

20/1

Tailed off in five starts for Kieth Dalgleish, including 13L eighth of 13 at Newcastle (2m, standard) last time. First start for new yard but others readily preferred.

Form: 980808-

(3)

Seven For A Pound²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 53

16/1

Seven-race maiden who has regressed after a promising start to the season, including 9L eighth in 1m2f Beverley handicap. Has plenty to find for the step up in trip.

Form: 55-7788

Non-Runners

(5)

Frame Rate¹⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: I Jardine J: Jamie Gormley

(9)

Melabi²²

Weight: 8-12| Age: 6

T: Mrs Stella Barclay J: Shane Gray

(8)

Shakiah²¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: Mrs S A Watt J: P Mathers

(4)

Sleepdancer²⁰

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: J Ryan J: Sean Davis

Forecasts

Euro Implosion (8/13), Dew Pond (4/1), Flood Defence (6/1), Frame Rate (14/1), Melabi (14/1), Sleepdancer (14/1), Seven For A Pound (16/1), Shakiah (16/1), Unite The Clans (20/1), Bogardus (22/1), Lyford (25/1)

A weak-looking handicap looks to be a prime opportunity for EURO IMPLOSION to gain a deserved win on his CV. He should be tough to beat if he runs to his mark of 62 against rivals who have plenty to prove and could be one step ahead of the handicapper. Melabi was well held at Leicester on his latest start, but would've been the likely winner over C&D had he not been impeded and could go close if replicating that effort, while Dew Pond must be respected in a much weaker contest than he has been racing in recently, but needs to bounce back to form.