13:20 Musselburgh

Friday 3 January 2020

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:35

Betway Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 3m 49.28s

Haasab^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 102

3/1

Consistent sort who landed a handicap hurdle towards the end of last season and bounced back to form with good second at Catterick (2m) last month. Penalised 2lb for that effort which is a concern.

Form: 316-772

Titus Bolt^p1⁶⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 98| C| D

7/2

Three-time winner on the flat and shaped well on first start for this yard when third off the back of a long absence at Kelso (2m) in October. Solid place claims off same mark if there is no 'bounce' factor.

Form: 965/41-3

Mercer's Troop^b1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 97| D

18/1

Poor form generally on the flat and on one start over hurdles and was last seen finishing last of 13 on the AW at Newcastle (2m) in December. Very hard to make a case for at this stage.

Form: 2916-40

Wot A Shot²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 94| CD

8/1

Winner off 1lb over C&D last January and had two fair efforts this term before finishing 11th of 13 at Doncaster (2m) last month. This is a drop in grade though and could be ahead of the handicapper.

Form: 326350

Tabou Beach Boy^p⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: R Menzies| OR: 102

10/1

15-race maiden under both codes. Best effort came when second at Sedgefield in October but failed to back up that effort when sixth at that track (2m) in November. Needs more on handicap debut.

Form: 426

Safe Home¹⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 88| BF

15/8

Has had a grand revival for this yard this term, winning at Market Rasen before backing that up with second at Southwell (2m) in June. Not seen since but goes well fresh and dangerous to ignore.

Form: 9000/12

Istimraar^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 87| D

16/1

Rejuvenated by previous yard in early 2019 and finally getting his act together for this stable when third in 2m handicap chase at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Hurdles mark is significantly lighter so holds claims.

Form: 980253

Bermondsey Belle^p,t¹⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 80WS

66/1

Fair maiden on the flat for Lucy Wadham but offering so sort of form since switching to hurdles, pulling up on her last two starts. Very little if not no chance.

Form: P-8PP

Fast And Friendly⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 76

66/1

Hinted at some ability in bumpers but extremely poor over hurdles including pulling up on handicap debut last time. Easily opposable.

Form: 0U-P09P

Painters Lad^h¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 67

16/1

0-12 under rules and never really been hinting at ability to date, including latest tame ninth on chasing debut. Back over hurdles but tough ask from out of the weights.

Form: 589-469

Forecasts

Safe Home (15/8), Haasab (3/1), Titus Bolt (7/2), Wot A Shot (8/1), Tabou Beach Boy (10/1), Istimraar (16/1), Painters Lad (16/1), Mercer's Troop (18/1), Fast And Friendly (66/1), Bermondsey Belle (66/1)

SAFE HOME has done incredibly well for his yard to get back into winning form over the summer and has appreciated joining his current yard. Despite a hike in the weights he goes well fresh and should prove tough to beat off his current mark. Wot A Shot took this race last year but failed to go on since, despite his advancing years it is eye-catching he is nearly at his last winning mark and eased in class. The likes of the consistent Haasab and Titus Bolt also merit consideration subject to if they haven't been too harshly treated by the handicapper.