14:40 Musselburgh

Wednesday 26 February 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Meetings That Matter On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 6m 17.1s

Dadsintrouble¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 121

6/1

Not been the easiest horse to keep straight as his career has been blighted by a number of spells of inactivity. However, he proved he retains ability with a steady effort at Warwick earlier in the month. Needs his jumping to hold together though.

Form: 500/464

Island Heights⁴⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| CD

33/1

Resumes racing from the same mark as for his C&D win in November 2018 but hasn't seen action since finishing third here a month later. He's won when fresh in the past but the betting can guide as to whether age is now catching up with the gelding.

Form: 64/2413-

First Account⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| C| D

4/5

Won his only start in a point-to-point and also ran with credit in three races for Donald McCain. Then made a winning start for new connections when scoring over an extended 2m4f (over fences) here eight days ago; still improving and more to come.

Form: 1/32-21

Calivigny^v³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 113| D

25/1

Effective on similar course lay-outs but, perhaps surprisingly, this is only his second appearance at Musselburgh. However, he looks a little high in the weights if his last two starts, albeit over fences, prove to be reliable pieces of form.

Form: P-31154

Arthurs Secret^p³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 112| C| D

22/1

Traditionally goes well at this time of year but recent form has seen a notable dip in performance levels. He's won and been placed at this course over a variety of trips but needs to bounce back from two poor efforts.

Form: 36-5350

Total Assets^p³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 110

25/1

Form figures speak of consistency but she's been a bit of a Kelso specialist over the years. The sharp nature of this course isn't an issue but it's been over two years since she was last successful and even longer since she won over hurdles.

Form: 333323

Jennys Day⁴⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 107

16/1

1-16 over hurdles and without a win to his name since September 2016; but more notably, he has an absence of 468 days to overcome. He's won on the back of a break before and travels a long way for his reappearance. Betting will have to guide.

Form: 6P5/722-

Trongate⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR: 105

10/1

Placed at this course before but best previous form has been posted at or around 2m4f, so today's distance is likely to stretch him to the limit. Won't mind any give underfoot, though, and has conditions to suit if he stays the trip. (1lb well-in.)

Form: 806282

Big Bad Dream⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 105

11/1

Was ahead of Trongate when he was a himself a well beaten fourth at Ayr last month. However, he's still got scope to improve over the trip and is lightly raced in handicaps; a better effort is not out of the question; one to consider for a place.

Form: 733-624

Buckled⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 105| CD

12/1

C&D winner on good to soft ground last month but an 11lb higher mark looks a harsh assessment given that the horse who finished second is rated 103 (third home rated 91). He had the run of the race that day but might not have that luxury this time.

Form: P2-9751

Emirat De Catana⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100| D

40/1

Won over this rip at Perth last May but form has been mixed since then. Well beaten over fences the last twice and plenty to prove back over timber despite being on a potentially lenient mark.

Form: 18F45P

Forecasts

First Account (4/5), Dadsintrouble (6/1), Trongate (10/1), Big Bad Dream (11/1), Buckled (12/1), Jennys Day (16/1), Arthurs Secret (22/1), Calivigny (25/1), Total Assets (25/1), Island Heights (33/1), Emirat De Catana (40/1)

FIRST ACCOUNT looks the obvious starting point as he has answered most questions asked of him so far and he is a serious player now he reverts to hurdles on handy mark. He impressed with a win over fences last week and looks worth following for the time being. Big Bad Dream also has scope for improvement and is suggested as a leading contender in this company. Buckled was an easy winner last time out but has an 11lb higher mark to cope with now, so might just have to settle for a minor role this time.