16:46 Musselburgh

Saturday 3 April 2021

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1116:46

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:49 | Winning time: 1m 40.39s

(8)

Merricourt^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 62| CD

10/3

Patchy record, but just 1 lb higher than for his C&D success in September and was unlucky not to finish closer when sixth of 12 at Newcastle recently. One to consider.

Form: 1750-76

(10)

Strong Team³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: C Grant| OR: 60

80/1

Dual hurdles winner, but hasn't shown much in a trio of minor events on the AW since belatedly making the switch to the Flat.

Form: 577

(12)

Ayr Poet¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 60| BF| D

3/1

Three-time winner last season, the latest off an 8 lb lower mark at Hamilton in September. Ended that campaign with a creditable effort over 1¼m at Ayr and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 116143-

(11)

First Response^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 58| D

11/4

Multiple AW winner and though yet to get his head in front on turf following 14 attempts, he's pretty reliable on the whole and is lurking on a dangerous mark.

Form: 439-450

(7)

Lagenda¹⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: L Bailey| OR: 54| CD

25/1

Most recent success was gained off a 1 lb higher mark at Ayr last season, but he's not the easiest to catch right and ended 2020 on a low-key note.

Form: 429670-

(2)

Jungle Book^h1¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Phil Dennis| T: L Bailey| OR: 53

16/1

Thirteen-race maiden for whom hopes here are largely pinned on the fitting of a first-time hood sparking improvement.

Form: 088560-

(9)

The Brora Pobbles^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: A C Whillans| OR: 50| D

22/1

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces when opening her account in a weak minor event at Newcastle (1m) in February. However, she was well beaten back in handicap company next time and is 0-10 on turf.

Form: 75-0710

(4)

The King's Steed^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Robinson| T: S Lycett| OR: 48| D

14/1

Below par since striking at Salisbury (7f) in October, but he's now 8 lb below that winning mark and will be a danger to all if able to bounce back.

Form: 940-789

(6)

Tarnhelm¹³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 47| D

16/1

Regained the winning thread at Thirsk (1m) off this mark last summer, but she's notoriously hard to predict and probably best watched following a break.

Form: 055680-

(3)

Joyful Star¹⁰³

Age: 11| Weight: 8-7| J: Harrison Shaw| T: F Watson| OR: 45

18/1

More good efforts than bad ones in 2020, but it's been more than 3 years since this veteran last hit the target and he'll probably find one or two too good once more.

Form: 233647-

(1)

Perfect Soldier⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Sean Davis| T: W Storey| OR: 45

16/1

Each-way claims judged on the pick of last season's form, bu his strike rate tells a story (1-37 on the Flat) and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 64599-5

(5)

Detective^p¹³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 45

14/1

This lightly-raced 5-y-o has offered little in 4 starts in this sphere and a couple of runs over hurdles.

Form: 0/609-

Forecasts

First Response (11/4), Ayr Poet (3/1), Merricourt (10/3), The King's Steed (14/1), Detective (14/1), Perfect Soldier (16/1), Tarnhelm (16/1), Jungle Book (16/1), Joyful Star (18/1), The Brora Pobbles (22/1), Lagenda (25/1), Strong Team (80/1)

There was sufficient promise in MERRICOURT's recent performance at Newcastle to suggest that he could be the way to go, back at the scence of his latest success. First Response needs taking seriously back on turf off an attractive mark, while Ayr Poet was largely progressive in 2020 and will be a threat if ready to roll on this seasonal reappearance.