15:40 Musselburgh

Wednesday 26 February 2020

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

Biggest Ever Jumps Season On RacingTV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 59.40s

Jembug Drummer^t1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 115

9/1

Easy winner over hurdles at Bangor last October but subsequent efforts have been poor. Wind surgery prior to his latest outing didn't bring much improvement. More needed on these terms. (Tongue tie now applied.)

Form: 533-197

Frightened Rabbit⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 110| BF| D

7/1

Registered decent levels of form under both codes of racing over the last year or so and impressed when justifying favouritism at Carlisle back in November. Was held from this mark latest but freshened up since; not much to find.

Form: 121313

Smart Lass⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 109| BF| C

7/1

Dropped out tamely in a bumper on the AW last week and had little excuse for a poor effort. Has finished second in both previous starts over hurdles so a bit early to cast her aside; the betting can guide as to whether to give her another chance.

Form: 220

Royal Cosmic²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| BF| CD

7/1

Finished 1¾L in front of Smart lass when winning over C&D last month but never recovered after stumbling four flights out here last time. Runs from the same mark here and needs to prove the handicapper hasn't already taken her measure.

Form: 3310

Mister Manduro³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 108| D

6/1

Won a maiden hurdle for this yard last May (did have a short spell with Brian Ellison shortly after that win but rejoined the fold with Ann Hamilton in the winter. Form has been modest in three starts since. Another with a bit to prove.

Form: U1784

Our Lucas⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR: 107| D

28/1

Been around a number of yards in his time but struggling to pay his way for his incumbent trainer. Not out of this on the pick of his form but a poor effort when tailed off last time needs to be forgiven.

Form: 980550

Blooriedotcom²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 106| CD

5/2

Holding his form well and has shown a liking for this course lately; nudged up 1lb after finishing second over C&D earlier this month but still open to more improvement. The rider knows him; a bold attempt can be expected.

Form: 7F5312

Monfass^h⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 104

7/1

On a long losing run but still retains ability and is on a handy mark just now; ground conditions also likely to suit. Dangerous to underestimate despite not registering a solitary win since December 2017.

Form: 897-244

Mamdood^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 103

14/1

Shown some ability in three previous starts over hurdles but has looked short of pace on occasions and can take the odd liberty with his jumping. On balance others make more appeal.

Form: 484

Uncle Norman^p⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98

22/1

0-5 over hurdles so far and has a bit to find with Monfass on a literal reading of their recent encounter at Catterick; cheekpieces back on after the experiment with blinkers failed to make an impact latest. Stiff test here.

Form: 39498

Forecasts

Blooriedotcom (5/2), Mister Manduro (6/1), Monfass (7/1), Royal Cosmic (7/1), Frightened Rabbit (7/1), Smart Lass (7/1), Jembug Drummer (9/1), Mamdood (14/1), Uncle Norman (22/1), Our Lucas (28/1)

SMART LASS can reverse recent places with Royal Cosmic on these terms edges a narrow vote of confidence. The selection does need to prove her poor effort in an AW bumper was just a blip, though. With that in mind, Frightened Rabbit also comes into the equation as a suggestion for a cover bet as very little to find on the pick of his old form. Blooriedotcom goes well at this course and also merits consideration.