18:15 Musselburgh

Saturday 14 September 2019

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

Max Davis' 21st Birthday Handicap

Off time: 18:18 | Winning time: 1m 39.29s

(5)

Grey Spirit^p1⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 82| BF

11/2

Lightly raced four-year-old gained third win over 1m½f at Epsom penultimately. Disappointing next under a penalty when odds-on at Haydock but given a break since so perhaps something came to light and could very easily bounce back.

Form: 112-515

(10)

Glengarry⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 82| C| D

13/2

Has won over 1m but does most of his racing over 7f and gained second career course win at that trip latest when staying on well to win by 1L. Upped 5lb and to 1m but remains a leading contender.

Form: 656461

(4)

Mustarrid³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

8/1

Over two years since last win and although he started season with two encouraging fourths his poor showing at Haydock latest tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 0/0-0440

(7)

Brother McGonagall⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| D

8/1

Likable seven-time winner been at the mercy of the handicapper since winning at Beverley in June. Ran well to be third of 17 at Haydock latest but handicap remains restrictive.

Form: 945683

(6)

Calvados Spirit²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| D

10/1

Had been bits of encouragement this season so latest win at Newmarket over 1m didn't come as a great surprise. Not always the sort to back up a strong effort but off a mark just 3lb higher he clearly has solid claims.

Form: 436201

(2)

Glasses Up^b1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: R M Smith| OR: 77

10/1

Won three times over 1m2f at Ayr during the summer of 2018 and as a consequence has taken time to return to a more competitive mark; wore a visor latest and that didn't help so now tried blinkers instead.

Form: 354430

(9)

Normal Norman¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: J Ryan| OR: 76| C

7/2

Developed into a useful novice hurdler last winter but showed he still has the toe for the Flat when a running in second over 7f at Kempton last month. Should strip fitter now and 1m will suit better so looks a leading contender.

Form: 36-2

(13)

Four Kingdoms¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mathers| T: R M Smith| OR: 75| C

20/1

Stepped back in trip to win over 1m2f at Haydock penultimately before second here latest over more familiar 1m4½f distance. 1m is a complete unknown at this stage but suspect it will be sharp enough.

Form: 243512

(8)

How Bizarre^v1⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: L Bailey| OR: 72| C| D

14/1

Basically running quite consistently until disappointment last time out here where he faded into last of eight. Hopefully bounce back in the first-time visor now.

Form: 125328

(11)

Pickett's Charge^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 71| D

16/1

7f Brighton win this season his first score on turf since 2015 (won four on AW between). Thirds the last twice show he remains in good heart and he can again be competitive here.

Form: 423133

(1)

Zeshov^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: C Lee| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 67| CD

10/1

Beaten a nose by Lagenda who runs earlier on the card today in a class 6 here last time out so in good heart but this is a great deal stronger so may find things harder today.

Form: 350452

Non-Runners

(3)

Whatwouldyouknow³

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: R C Guest J: G Lee

(12)

Jacob Black¹⁸

Weight: 8-8| Age: 8

T: K Dalgleish J: S A Gray

Forecasts

Normal Norman (7/2), Grey Spirit (11/2), Glengarry (13/2), Brother McGonagall (8/1), Mustarrid (8/1), Zeshov (10/1), Glasses Up (10/1), Calvados Spirit (10/1), How Bizarre (14/1), Pickett's Charge (16/1), Whatwouldyouknow (16/1), Four Kingdoms (20/1), Jacob Black (20/1)

After a really encouraging return to the level latest dual hurdles scorer NORMAL NORMAN gets the vote with an extra 1f today almost certain to help and he could come on for his first race since the Cheltenham Festival too. Grey Spirit disappointed latest but the subsequent absence perhaps suggest that Sir Mark Prescott got to the bottom of the issue; he won well the time before at Epsom. There are plenty more runners here arriving in good form including Glengarry who won at the track last time out.