14:05 Musselburgh

Saturday 1 February 2020

All12:5713:3114:0514:4015:1515:5216:26

bet365 Scottish County Hurdle (Handicap)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 43.60s

L'Inganno Felice^h³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 139| D

40/1

Modest fifth over C&D on New Year's Day and while eased 3lb since probably too many questions to answer to be carrying top-weight to victory in this decent contest.

Form: 111P-U5

Sebastopol^t1⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: T Lacey| OR: 136| BF| D

9/2

Some smart form as a novice hurdler and still just the four runs over timber; decisive winner at Wincanton in October on handicap bow but no clear excuses at Huntingdon the following month. Tongue-tied now and could still improve.

Form: 11/43-14

Sir Chauvelin³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie| OR: 134| CD

5/1

Likes it here and easily his best effort so far over timber when winning on New Year's Day over C&D; raised 5lb for that success but far from certain to stop him mounting another bold bid.

Form: 38140/1

Miranda³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

5/1

Right back on track with Kempton win over Christmas on testing ground; champion trainer in fine form just now and boasts a 35 per-cent strike-rate with runners at this venue in the past.

Form: 11P-81

Kaizer²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C Whillans| OR: 121| C| D

11/1

Dual hurdles winner in novice company but well held on handicap bow at Kelso (2m, heavy) last month and this rates a much tougher ask despite handicapper easing him 2lb.

Form: 36-1173

Ashington³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 121| BF| CD

15/8

2-4 over hurdles, including a C&D win, doesn't have a lot of ground to make up with Sir Chauvelin on last month's clash here and still entitled to be on an upward curve in this sphere (5lb better with that rival now).

Form: 2113

Seaborough¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Thompson| OR: 118

28/1

Consistent over hurdles for Alan King and this trainer but just one win in six attempts (placed four times); 8L runner-up over C&D recently but this is asking for more.

Form: 24-3312

Groveman⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 117| D

9/1

Fair hurdler, perhaps didn't relish heavy going on reappearance at Sandown in December in Lister company (also entitled to have needed the run); wouldn't rule out as an each-way player.

Form: 253-240

Raashdy²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 116| D

28/1

Modest Flat performer, won over hurdles at Hexham in September on second attempt; well held in handicaps at Sedgefield and Newcastle most recently and this is his most demanding task so far.

Form: 21353

Non-Runners

For Three¹⁵

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: J Ewart J: Lorcan Murtagh

Forecasts

Ashington (15/8), Sebastopol (9/2), Miranda (5/1), Sir Chauvelin (5/1), Groveman (9/1), Kaizer (11/1), For Three (25/1), Raashdy (28/1), Seaborough (28/1), L'Inganno Felice (40/1)

Last month's C&D winner Sir Chauvelin should go well again and his form brings Ashington right into the picture given he's now 5lb better off for a 3¾L defeat. Groveman should be fitter for the run at Sandown and couple play a hand but there was plenty to like about MIRANDA's Kempton success at Christmas and, given Paul Nicholls' sterling record at this venue, could be primed to follow up now.