19:00 Musselburgh

Friday 6 September 2019

All16:2517:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Keyline Civils Specialists Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 39.96s

(10)

Zeshov^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: R P Downey| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 65| CD

12/1

Came good last October but struggled on firmer surfaces during 2019; currently 9lb below his last winning mark and likes this course; would ideally be suited by softer ground. (Won this from a 3lb higher mark last year. Also won the 2016 renewal.)

Form: 435045

(1)

Muatadel^v⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: K Stott| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 65

16/1

Running into form for his new yard and responded kindly in the first-time visor when finishing second of 13 at Carlisle last month. One to monitor closely now he seems to have got his act together again. (Well handicapped on past efforts.)

Form: 416342

(3)

Echo Of Lightning^p¹⁰^{(ex 4)}

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 60| CD

7/2

Back to form when winning over an extended 7f here ten days ago and is 4lb well in under his penalty; also well treated in comparison to past efforts, so merits an interest. He's had his problems so caution still advised when checking the betting.

Form: 009881

(4)

Chinese Spirit¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 62| D

13/2

Disappointing in his last two starts but previously shown enough to merit consideration at this level; won from a 2lb lower mark at Hamilton in June and possibly had excuses because of softer ground since. Another to monitor in the betting.

Form: 533270

(14)

Allux Boy^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 61

10/1

In good form on the AW during the summer months but not so effective back on turf the last twice; carried a penalty for July's win (1.5m, standard) at Wolverhampton the first time but no apparent excuse latest. Now has a bit to prove.

Form: 442166

(5)

The Big House⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 60| BF| D

7/2

Held his form in low key races such as this and made the frame in three starts since winning a seller at Thirsk at the end of July. His rider has been well worth his 3lb claims lately and another bold bid looks assured from today's partnership.

Form: U41233

(12)

Geography Teacher^p⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Gray| T: R M Smith| OR: 60| D

28/1

Won a 0-65 Class 6 handicap on his final appearance for Roger Fell back in May and not disgraced after a break when third on debut for his new yard here last month. Needs a personal best to win from this rating but not much to find at this level.

Form: 547613

(6)

Gworn^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 55| D

14/1

Has been held by the likes of Chinese Spirit several times already this season and needs a lot to go his way to master his old rivals this time. Others make more appeal for a punt on this occasion.

Form: 748678

(9)

Archies Lad⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 60

50/1

Claimed for £5,000 out of Richard Fahey's yard after winning at Leicester (7f, good) in July but nowhere near the same level of enthusiasm in two starts for his new yard since. Was hampered here latest but already beating a retreat at the time.

Form: 2-59188

(2)

Lagenda⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: L Bailey| OR: 55| D

18/1

Not been the easiest horse to predict and has swapped hands three times over the last year or so; the change of scenery is yet to inspire much of a transformation on a racecourse and the gelding is in danger of losing his way at present.

Form: 70-0960

(8)

Blank Canvas¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 59

25/1

A lightly raced three-year-old that has shown ability since her belated racecourse debut in July; this is only her third start in a handicap so possible she's got more to offer. Needs to improve for this first try over a mile though.

Form: 83267

(11)

Retirement Beckons^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 53| D

7/1

In good form lately; benefited from a solid pace to win at Hamilton in July before backing it up with a late rattle to land a Lady riders race at Ayr last month. Should have the race run to suit and likely to be thereabouts with a similar effort.

Form: 321313

(13)

Crazy Tornado^h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 51| D

20/1

No impression at Hamilton (well adrift of Retirement Beckons) latest; and even though his previous effort over 1m1f here reads a lot better; it's that lack of consistency that worries. Losing run stands at 13 and he's hard to recommend just now.

Form: 809028

(7)

Pumaflor^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: A Elliott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 50| D

28/1

Managed a win from a 12lb higher mark at Pontefract last August but you'd have to go back to 2016 to check his most recent success prior to that; little to suggest he's about to turn a corner from 2019 form. Another who is difficult to recommend.

Form: 096095

Forecasts

Echo Of Lightning (7/2), The Big House (7/2), Chinese Spirit (13/2), Retirement Beckons (7/1), Allux Boy (10/1), Zeshov (12/1), Gworn (14/1), Muatadel (16/1), Lagenda (18/1), Crazy Tornado (20/1), Blank Canvas (25/1), Pumaflor (28/1), Geography Teacher (28/1), Archies Lad (50/1)

Not too many appeal in this low key affair and it will be surprising if Echo Of Lightning isn't on the premises after his solid performance to win over 7f here last month. He's not the easiest to keep straight but he's got every chance of following up in this company. However, it might also pay to have a saver on MUTADEL making a fist of things, as he's currently on an attractive mark and the fitting of a visor seemed to rekindle his interest last time out. He could be good value this time. Retirement Beckons is another who is holding his form and can also go close. Geography Teacher and Chinese Spirit complete the shortlist.