13:20 Musselburgh

Friday 22 January 2021

All12:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:3016:05

Betway Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 16.80s

Major Davis²⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 100

400/1

Maiden over hurdles for Warren Greatrex earlier in career. Dual winning pointer subsequently but he showed nothing making steeple chase debut at Southwell back in July. Others preferred.

Form: 11F/7P-9

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Sarvi^b³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 100| C

7/1

Dual purpose mare who finally opened her account from the front over 15.5f here in December. Blinkers enlisted that day retained here and not ruled out back up in trip from 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 585241

Esme Shelby⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 98

12/1

6-y-o who was runner-up in Irish points and showed ability when placed both starts in maiden hurdles at up to 20f late last year. Likely has more to offer but she looks more of a chasing type.

Form: 82-33

Bullion Boss²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 98| C

3/1

Progressed with each start in handicaps this winter, off the mark over extended 23f here on New Year's Day. Drop back in trip expected to hold no fears and he's respected.

Form: 400-721

Balranald^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97

8/1

Flat winner who fell at the fourth in a C&D handicap on yard debut in December. Remains low-mileage in this sphere and he may yet have more to offer in handicaps.

Form: 356-45F

Grumpy Mcgrumpface²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97

11/1

Fair in bumpers and definite promise on third of his quick-fire runs in maiden/novice hurdles this winter, finishing with running left when fifth at Kelso (2m) latest. Better to come now handicapping.

Form: 24-8855

Style Nelson³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 94

9/1

Cost plenty as a 3-y-o but just minor promise in bumpers. Better for hurdles bow when second in a C&D maiden in December and he's open to further improvement now sights are set on handicaps.

Form: 667-42

Reassurance¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Brooke| OR: 94

66/1

Fair stayer on Flat who showed aptitude for hurdling at Hexham (2m) in September. Well beaten both starts since he will hold more chance now handicapping for all testing ground may be against her.

Form: 397

Evita Du Mesnil³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR: 92| BF

20/1

Caused a shock on first run for this yard when 80/1 winner of 2m Hexham handicap. Only just edged out at Sedgefield next time and better than being pulled up suggests at Ayr latest.

Form: 47712P

The Silver Prince¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 92

22/1

Placed in points and bits of promise over hurdles initially. However, well held on handicap debut at Kelso in December and beaten some way out in jumpers' bumper latest.

Form: P-83688

Red Ochre^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 92| BF

15/2

Long-standing maiden but holding his form well, again finding one too good at Newcastle (2m) in December. No reason why he won't give his running again but he may prove vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 4/6-5232

Broadway Joe³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 91

4/1

Has yet to better poor form over timber, again showing little when sixth in a C&D handicap hurdle last month. That was his first start since wind surgery, so he'll need to show the benefit of that now

Form: 646-P06

Jeu De Mots⁴²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 90

50/1

Doubled chase tally at Cartmel in July 2019. Mixed record followed, well beaten on each of his last 2 starts later that year and likely best watched on belated return to action.

Form: 613377-

Astute Boy^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 90

28/1

Not at best either start over hurdles at Perth (2m) last summer but likely Flat return/first start for 4 months was needed at Newcastle (12.5f) in December. Longer trip worth exploring in this sphere.

Form: 5628-35

Forecasts

Bullion Boss (3/1), Broadway Joe (4/1), Sarvi (7/1), Red Ochre (15/2), Balranald (8/1), Style Nelson (9/1), Grumpy Mcgrumpface (11/1), Esme Shelby (12/1), Evita Du Mesnil (20/1), The Silver Prince (22/1), Astute Boy (28/1), Jeu De Mots (50/1), Reassurance (66/1), Major Davis (400/1)

GRUMPY MCGRUMPFACE shaped with abundant promise on his third hurdle start at Kelso last month, finishing with running left without being unduly punished. The step up in trip rates a definite plus on handicap debut and he's fancied to put up a bold showing. Last-time-out course winner Bullion Boss is feared, whilst Astute Boy and Style Nelson are also fancied to get involved.