15:35 Musselburgh

Friday 1 January 2021

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 15.20s

Oscar Clouds¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 112

16/1

Took a step forward when third in 21f Kelso novice in October, but proved disappointing upped to 25.3f on subsequent handicap debut at Catterick. Bit to prove now.

Form: 6-435

Off The Beat³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 111

6/1

Newcastle novice winner in the mud last winter and left tame reappearance behind when fourth of 13 with cheekpieces added here (2½m, good) in November. Not certain to relish this stiffer test.

Form: 7/814-P4

Whiskey Lullaby^p1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 111

10/3

Runner-up sole start between the flags and occupied same spot both starts under Rules 8 months apart. Now tried in cheekpieces and improvement may be forthcoming now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 22-23

The Blame Game^p1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 109

15/2

Off the mark in 2½m Sedgefield novice in September, and bounced back following a disappointing handicap debut display when hitting the crossbar here last time. More needed now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 5P-2102

Wynford^b,t⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: L Egerton| OR: 107

80/1

Hasn't shown much spark on the Flat or over hurdles/fences since returning from 14 months off in October.

Form: 9/54-744

Court Baloo^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: A C Whillans| OR: 104| CD

50/1

Scored at Hexham in September but that is very much a stand out effort this season, again dropping away tamely at Wetherby last month.

Form: 791P77

Tokaramore^h⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 104| C

12/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who is slipping back down the weights and latest second of 7 in handicap chase at Newcastle was a bit more encouraging. 1 lb lower back in this sphere and worth a second look.

Form: 133-452

Arnica²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 98

3/1

No immediate improvement in first 2 handicaps, but latest effort at Kelso (22.7f) where he was a clear second to progressive stablemate Artic Mann represented a step forward. One for the shortlist.

Form: 644-P72

Midnight Aurora^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 92

9/1

Bagged a 25f Huntingdon handicap in first-time cheekpieces last term. Well held all 3 starts so far this season (without headgear), but cheekpieces refitted here and she's dangerous to discount.

Form: 001-000

Bullion Boss³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 90

10/1

Fair maiden on Flat for Michael Dods and best effort to date over hurdles when second in a 10-runner C&D handicap in November. Place possibilities if able to build on that.

Form: 6400-72

A Ladies Milan^p,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 86

11/1

Appeared to improve when placed on second start over fences at Hexham in September. However, not so good in 2 subsequent starts, including back in this sphere last time.

Form: 6P-5379

Non-Runners

Prussia With Love⁵⁷

Weight: 12-1| Age: 7

T: B Ellison J: Theo Gillard

Arkyn³⁶

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: A Robson J: Jamie Hamilton

Wee Goldie⁷⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Mrs H O Graham J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

Arnica (3/1), Whiskey Lullaby (10/3), Off The Beat (6/1), Prussia With Love (6/1), The Blame Game (15/2), Midnight Aurora (9/1), Bullion Boss (10/1), A Ladies Milan (11/1), Tokaramore (12/1), Oscar Clouds (16/1), Wee Goldie (20/1), Arkyn (25/1), Court Baloo (50/1), Wynford (80/1)

If able to build on his latest improved effort at Kelso, ARNICA could prove the answer to this tricky-looking handicap. He may have most to fear from Whiskey Lullaby, who has been turned over at short odds in a couple of runs over hurdles but appeals as the type to do better now handicapping. Tokaramore also has claims, while Midnight Aurora is one to note in the betting with cheekpieces refitted.