15:00 Musselburgh

Friday 17 January 2020

All13:2013:5514:2515:0015:3016:00

Betway Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 57.03s

Weather Front⁴²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 130| D

18/1

Won novice hurdles at Hexham and Newcastle in November 2018, but not seen since. Fairly handicapped, and had looked progressive, so not dismissed despite his lengthy absence.

Form: 8/211-

Goldencard¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 127| CD

7/1

Latest win came in a C&D handicap hurdle in November, and he has run just as well to be placed on both starts since over fences. Looks sure to run his race, and shortlisted.

Form: 761122

Kajaki³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125| D

13/5

In the frame on both starts in handicap hurdles, showing improved form when 2½L second of 13 to Pagero at Doncaster last time. Likely to improve further, and looks to hold leading claims in this field.

Form: 112-32

Ardera Cross^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 123| D

50/1

Won over fences at Ayr in November, but below that form next time, and failed to complete when reverting to hurdles last time. Others stronger again.

Form: 4U014P

Seaborough⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D Thompson| OR: 118

11/2

Showed a bit in this sphere for Alan King, and although regressive on the flat, he was placed twice over hurdles before an improved effort to land a heavy-ground maiden at Sedgefield last time. Not taken lightly.

Form: 24-331

Carry On³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116

18/1

Best form on a sound surface, winning a novice at Bangor in August. Well held on handicap debut at Doncaster (heavy) last month, and remains vulnerable in the forecast conditions.

Form: 531446

The Mouse Doctor^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin| OR: 112

6/4

A winner on the flat at Dundalk last month, he shaped well when fourth of 25 to Fauguernon in a novice handicap at Leopardstown eight days later. Looks to hold solid claims if repeating that fine effort.

Form: 600/08-4

Castletown³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 107| BF

12/1

Now 4lb higher than when winning a handicap hurdle at Ayr in April, and ran creditably over fences here on his return. Disappointing last time, though, and this trip could be too sharp now reverting to smaller obstacles.

Form: 2231-26

Non-Runners

Mister Manduro¹⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: Mrs A Hamilton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Mouse Doctor (6/4), Kajaki (13/5), Seaborough (11/2), Goldencard (7/1), Castletown (12/1), Weather Front (18/1), Carry On (18/1), Mister Manduro (20/1), Ardera Cross (50/1)

It was more competitive heat than this that THE MOUSE DOCTOR ran well in at Leopardstown's Christmas fixture, and a repeat of that effort makes him the one to beat in this line-up. Seaborough has refound his form for his current yard, and has place claims after impressing at Sedgefield last time, while Goldencard is equally effective over hurdles and fences, and generally gives his running, so is the obvious alternative to the selection.