14:55 Musselburgh

Sunday 7 February 2021

All13:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:5516:25

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 49.29s

Keeper Hill²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 142

13/2

Smart but clumsy chaser who got back on track when third over hurdles at Market Rasen (23f, heavy) last month, outpaced early i straight but keeping on. Longer trip will hold no fears.

Form: 23-4453

Whirling Dervish^p⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J F Levins| OR: 130

6/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner who caught the eye over longest trip he's faced over hurdles when sixth of 13 in a Punchestown novice (20f) in December. Market should guide on yard debut up in trip.

Form: 90-1266

Mount Mews²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130

11/2

Not tasted success for some time but began campaign with a couple of solid placed efforts at up to 25f. Below form having helped set the pace in Lanzarote Hurdle latest and blinkers discarded here.

Form: 265-220

Prince Kayf⁴⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 128

6/1

Stepped up markedly on hurdles bow when winning a Newcastle novice (22f) in November 2019, beating Imperial Alcazar. Not seen to best effect sole start thereafter and he remains with potential.

Form: 1/212-

Chapel Stile^p⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 126

17/2

Multiple hurdles/chase winner who ran right up to his best over hurdles when 1 length third in a Carlisle handicap (25f) in December, no extra near finish. Can give another good account.

Form: 1/31P-83

Taxmeifyoucan^p⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 123

16/1

Hit the target twice off higher marks than this last season, but not at his very best in this sphere of late, merely plugging on in to fifth over extended 22f at Kelso in December.

Form: 3-3P395

Nikgarde⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 120

13/2

Struck at second time of asking over hurdles at Kelso (20.8f) in September and matched that when 2 lengths third of 11 in a Doncaster novice (20.8f) in November. Longer trip worth exploring.

Form: 23/0-413

Kaizer³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A C Whillans| OR: 120| C

5/2

Regained winning thread at Carlisle (17f) in October and not far below that level when third over extended 19f here o New Year's Day. Another worth a crack at this longer trip.

Form: 6-43153

Forecasts

Kaizer (5/2), Mount Mews (11/2), Whirling Dervish (6/1), Prince Kayf (6/1), Keeper Hill (13/2), Nikgarde (13/2), Chapel Stile (17/2), Taxmeifyoucan (16/1)

The fact PRINCE KAYF has been absent for 13 months is a slight concern, yet his form in novice company last season has been well and truly boosted and he's worth siding with to confirm his opening mark a feasible one now stepping up in trip. Kaizer ran well behind Navajo Pass last time and is feared, along with Nikgarde.