16:40 Musselburgh

Saturday 14 September 2019

All15:3016:0516:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Pommery Champagne Edinburgh Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 3m 26.9s

(4)

Dark Lochnagar¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 88

6/1

Front-runner made all over 1m2½f at Chester earlier in the campaign and has since twice made the frame over 1m4f. First time upped to 2m here but with other front-runners in the field his stamina will be severely tested.

Form: 562132

(5)

Just Hubert²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: W R Muir| OR: 86

3/1

Won over 1m4f at Ripon and 1m6f at Sandown and far from disgraced in red-hot Melrose handicap at York latest where fifth over that same 1m6f trip. Likely to get 2m now and although more exposed than some he can go well.

Form: 643115

(10)

Lord Lamington⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

14/1

Won three times this year (1m4½f-1m6f) and three runs over 2m suggest he does stay the trip. Best effort for a while at Chelmsford latest where second over 1m6f but others appeal as better handicapped and/or more progressive here.

Form: 152852

(3)

Hydroplane^v1¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 79| BF

4/1

Landed a hat-trick over trips ranging from 1m1½f to 1m4f before outkicked in second at Kempton latest over same trip. Few yards do better when going up to such trips first time so expectant of more improvement here for progressive sort.

Form: 0-01112

(8)

Anyonecanhaveitall⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 76| D

4/1

Showed stamina is his trump card when kicking for home 3f out and winning a 2m½f Lingfield turf handicap last time out; his second career score. Upped 3lb here but remains a likely sort and will expose any stamina weaknesses in rivals.

Form: 351341

(7)

Euro Implosion¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 75| C

16/1

Win here over 1m4½f started off a hat-trick where he also won 1m4f contests at Ripon and Catterick. 13lb higher than he was at the start of that stretch but perhaps this new trip can unlock further improvement.

Form: 332111

(1)

Champagne Marengo^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| D

8/1

Landed a four-timer (two at 1m6f, two at 2m) before unable to make up ground when wide on the turn at Chelmsford latest. Convinced he is better still at 2m and with host of front-running types here he could have the race run to suit.

Form: 211114

(2)

Whiskey And Water^p1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: B Ellison| OR: 72| BF

12/1

Maiden of seven on the Flat but has won over hurdles and went well over obstacles at Market Rasen latest so may well have improved. Market support would be notable.

Form: 426-222

(9)

Flash Point⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: R Ffrench| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 69

50/1

Handicap debut fifth over 1m2f at Newcastle latest suggested he would appreciate further but this is a sizable step up in both distance and class.

Form: 3555

(6)

Agravain²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66

20/1

Won three times this season, twice over 1m4f and once over 1m6f. Remained pretty consistent of late but tries 2m for the first time at a higher level and from 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 141523

Forecasts

Just Hubert (3/1), Anyonecanhaveitall (4/1), Hydroplane (4/1), Dark Lochnagar (6/1), Champagne Marengo (8/1), Whiskey And Water (12/1), Lord Lamington (14/1), Euro Implosion (16/1), Agravain (20/1), Flash Point (50/1)

A good mix here of tough stayers and progressive middle distance sorts going up in trip make this a tricky contest. Sir Mark Prescott is the past master of finding more progress when he step his runners up in trip so his HYDROPLANE who won three on the spin recently is taken to get back to winning ways now upped to 2m for the first time. Proven stayers Anyonecanhaveitall and Champagne Marengo have six wins between them this season and no doubt will be looking to test the stamina of their rivals here.