15:05 Musselburgh

Friday 26 March 2021

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:4517:15

ITM Northern Lights Two Mile Hurdle Series Final (Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 57.3s

Dubai Days^h³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122| D

11/2

Improved further to win his second handicap of the season at Wetherby last month in great style, quickening clear from last. Hiked up 12 lb but sure to go well again.

Form: 5-37171

Raymond²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Peter Coleman⁽¹⁰⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 119| CD

8/1

Dual course winner in November who has been in winning form on the Flat since at Newcastle. Not taken lightly back in this sphere.

Form: 2-61116

Fisher Green^t³^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 112| CD

5/1

Course winner who got right back on song when readily making all in 2m handicap at Wetherby (8/1) 3 days ago. Another bold showing is on the cards under 7 lb penalty.

Form: 58-F531

Cedar Hill²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| D

6/1

Three-time chase winner this season who posted career best on back of wind op in 2m1f handicap at Kelso 20 days ago. Not to be underestimated returned to this sphere.

Form: 611421

Iolani^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 108| D

33/1

Fair winning hurdler but his form is up and down this season, off 4 months/wind op when well held at Newcastle 17 days ago. Cheekpieces back on now.

Form: 9-20390

The Navigator¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 107

10/1

Bagged pair of 2m Sedgefield handicap wins this autumn and back on track after a break when third in 2m Newcastle handicap 17 days ago. Much respected off same mark.

Form: 5/11783

Diamond State²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 103

9/1

Fair maiden hurdler who arrives on back of two good placed efforts in handicaps here. Still low mileage and not taken lightly.

Form: 474632

Xpo Universel^p,t⁹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 102| D

25/1

Winless this term but veteran got back on song when second of 16 to Dubai Days in handicap at Newcastle (2m) 97 days ago. Cheekpieces back on and not dismissed after his break.

Form: 453652

Oakmont^h,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: R D Day| T: James Moffatt| OR: 102

28/1

Still a maiden over hurdles, but he figures on a good mark and should strip sharper for a recent spin on the Flat at Newcastle. Well worth considering back in this sphere.

Form: F9U375

Totally Rejected^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

11/1

Opened his account in 2m Cartmel novice in July but has failed to go on since sent handicapping, again keen when seventh here in first-time hood 23 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 9-13057

Big Jim Dwyer²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: G Sheehan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 100

9/1

Fair maiden hurdler but he fared a lot better than of late when fourth of 11 in handicap here 23 days ago. Needs bit more though if he's to open his account now.

Form: 303704

Nefyn Point³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 99

100/1

Sole hurdling win came in 2019 and he arrives on the back of two poor efforts at Haydock and Carlisle. Has work to do despite falling mark.

Form: 55-9296

Crackdeloust^p³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 99| D

12/1

Back to form on debut for this yard when scoring at Ayr (2m) in December but has struggled for consistency since, cheekpieces re-fitted when good Wetherby second last time. Needs to back it up now.

Form: 172972

Royal Cosmic¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: R A Fahey| OR: 98| CD

28/1

Course winner but below par in this sphere and in three recent runs since on the Flat this term. Others are lot more persuasive.

Form: 3105-57

Sarvi^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Reed| T: J S Goldie| OR: 98| CD

50/1

Dual purpose mare who finally opened her account in first-time blinkers here in December. Poor efforts there with headgear retained since though so hard to make a case for.

Form: 241770

Forecasts

Fisher Green (5/1), Dubai Days (11/2), Cedar Hill (6/1), Raymond (8/1), Diamond State (9/1), Big Jim Dwyer (9/1), The Navigator (10/1), Totally Rejected (11/1), Crackdeloust (12/1), Xpo Universel (25/1), Royal Cosmic (28/1), Oakmont (28/1), Iolani (33/1), Sarvi (50/1), Nefyn Point (100/1)

A case can be made for plenty here so at the likely odds it could be worth chancing OAKMONT to gain an overdue first victory given he figures on an attracitve mark and should be all the better for a recent spin on the Flat. Dubai Days is on a roll so sure to have a big say despite a 12 lb hike in the weights for his Wetherby success, with Cedar Hill much respected too back in this sphere.