12:45 Musselburgh

Monday 21 December 2020

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:15

William Hill Betting TV Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 3m 49.60s

Royal Cosmic^p⁴⁷

9/1

Fair 2m hurdle winner. Not at her best back over hurdles in cheekpieces 47 days ago, but drops in grade here, and also tackles her own sex for the first time since her win. Has had a wind op.

Form: 33105-5

Gemologist^p,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 101

13/2

Remains a maiden but has plenty of fair efforts to her name over hurdles, including when third in a C&D novice 4 weeks ago. Should remain competitive.

Form: 2-2552D

Luck Of Clover^p1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101

6/1

Fair maiden on Flat for Andrew Balding. Left hurdling debut form behind when second in a C&D novice 4 weeks ago and looks a player now making a quick switch to handicaps from a fair opening mark.

Form: 42

Paper Promise¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 100| CD

6/1

Bumper/mares' novice hurdle winner who looked rusty returning from 9 months off when fourth at Kelso (16.2f) 15 days ago, going in snatches. Entitled to strip fitter here.

Form: 1/6445-4

Set In Stone³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 97| C| D

13/2

Fair 9f winner on Flat who proved suiting by waiting tactics when opening her hurdling account in a Perth handicap in in August. Back at that level when third at Southwell last time.

Form: 44-6103

Sarvi^b1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 96

5/1

Long-standing maiden over timber but bounced back to best in a visor when second over C&D in November. Shaped as if still in good form since, so merits consideration in another change of headgear.

Form: 458524

Flood Defence³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 96| C

5/1

In good form on the Flat in 2020 and ran her best race in this sphere when second in 10-runner handicap at Sedgefield (16.8f) 39 days ago, just failing. Has scope to rate higher still.

Form: 783-02

Wise Coco^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 85| D

25/1

Landed gamble in 2m handicap hurdle at Perth last year and was in good order this term prior to pulling up the last twice, but obviously has something to prove now.

Form: 2332PP

Ainmisfearr^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 82

125/1

Ex Irish hurdler who wasn't seen to best effect when pulled up at Uttoxeter 13 days ago, badly hampered fourth. Handicapper relenting but clearly needs to up her game.

Form: 0-3608P

Russian Royale^p⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Macdonald⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 79| D

33/1

Comfortably held all 4 starts since returning to action in September. Back in headgear.

Form: 26-6096

Misscarlett^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 77

16/1

Modest stayer on the Flat who has yet to make a significant impact over hurdles, backed at long odds when fourth at Southwell (15.8f) last time.

Form: 870-7P4

Sweet Flora^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 74

14/1

Maiden who faced a very stiff task back in a non-handicap when fifth of 8 in a C&D novice hurdle 14 days ago, flattered by proximity.

Form: P75655

Non-Runners

Smart Lass²⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: I Jardine J: Kieren Buckley

Forecasts

Sarvi (5/1), Flood Defence (5/1), Luck Of Clover (6/1), Paper Promise (6/1), Gemologist (13/2), Set In Stone (13/2), Smart Lass (7/1), Royal Cosmic (9/1), Sweet Flora (14/1), Misscarlett (16/1), Wise Coco (25/1), Russian Royale (33/1), Ainmisfearr (125/1)

FLOOD DEFENCE ran easily her best race in this sphere when second at Sedgefield last month and has the scope to do better still judged on Flat form, so she earns the vote. Luck of Clover and Paper Promise are a couple of others to consider.