15:45 Musselburgh

Sunday 29 September 2019

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5517:25

Virgin Media Oomph Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 1m 0.22s

(7)

Lomu^b1³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 82| CD

5/2

C&D winner in the past who took a step back in the right direction when fifth at Southwell (5f) last month. Fallen down to a workable handicap mark and respected if first-time blinkers have the right effect.

Form: 12-4005

(3)

Royal Brave³²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 80| CD

6/1

Excels at this course, winning five times, but out of sorts since including over C&D. Regressive and age may have caught up with him now.

Form: 889468

(4)

Afandem^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Evans| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| D

6/1

Has been a reliable sort this season, winning at Nottingham (5f) in August before sixth in 5f Doncaster handicap last time. Capable of a bounce back and can't be discounted.

Form: 322516

(2)

Desert Ace¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 72| CD

6/1

Had lost his way over the summer until registering a couple of seconds before front-running success at Beverley (5f) last time. 4lb rise seems harsh but well-handicapped on best form.

Form: 000221

(1)

Economic Crisis¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Berry| OR: 65| CD

20/1

Notched a fifth C&D in August but not hit that form since, including when down the field at Ayr latest. Bounce back required.

Form: 541329

(6)

Boudica Bay²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: E J Alston| OR: 62| BF| CD

3/1

In fine form with three C&D wins this year and wasn't disgraced with 2L sixth at Catterick (5f) last time. Leading player at her favoured venue.

Form: 461156

(5)

Pavers Pride^b¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: D Fentiman| T: N Wilson| OR: 60| CD

11/1

C&D winner in the past who shaped better the result suggested when eighth at Ayr (5f) on latest start. Usually fresh this time of year so merits place claims.

Form: 13-6758

Forecasts

Lomu (5/2), Boudica Bay (3/1), Afandem (6/1), Royal Brave (6/1), Desert Ace (6/1), Pavers Pride (11/1), Economic Crisis (20/1)

Course and distance form is brought to the table by many of the runners in this contest but preference is for AFANDEM, who rarely fails to run to his mark and fared better on ground that didn't suit last time. With the ground set to be in his favour today, he can add to his two successes. Boudica Bay has been in flying form this season and is a dangerous player back at her favourite venue, while Lomu is on a likeable mark and could be back ahead of the handicapper.