15:50 Musselburgh

Wednesday 25 August 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Bet At racingtv.com Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 29.18s

(5)

Hajjam¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: L Bailey| OR: 73| D

11/2

Thirteen runs since last win in 2020. 14/1, ran creditably back on firmer ground when second of 12 in handicap at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 11 days ago. Not dismissed from same mark.

Form: 608242

(6)

Parys Mountain^h,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| D

18/1

20/1 and had a second breathing operation, below form when eighth of 9 in handicap at Thirsk (8f, good to firm) 12 days ago. Mark eases but probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 083058

(7)

The Weed Machine⁶⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 72| BF

20/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Failed to meet expectations when third of 6 in minor event (11/8) at Southwell (6.1f). Off 20 months. Makes turf/handicap debut. Has been gelded since last seen.

Form: 873/3-

(4)

Oso Rapido¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 70| D

10/3

28/1, showed the benefit of his reappearance when third of 12 in handicap at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 11 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 1/360-83

(1)

King Of Tonga⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68| D

7/4

Seventeen runs since last win in 2019. 10/1, best effort of the season from a career-low mark when second of 6 in handicap at this course (8f, good) 5 days ago, clear of rest. Leading player.

Form: 988352

(2)

Billian³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 71

16/1

Successful once from 6 starts during 2-y-o season for Bryan Smart. Has yet to match pick of form in 2 starts for new yard, last of 10 in handicap at York (7f, good) 32 days ago. More needed.

Form: 354-040

(3)

Distinction¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 63| D

4/1

Bounced back to his best to win 12-runner handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good to soft, 18/1) 16 days ago, staying on to lead close home. Claims from just a 1 lb higher mark.

Form: 234551

Forecasts

King Of Tonga (7/4), Oso Rapido (10/3), Distinction (4/1), Hajjam (11/2), Billian (16/1), Parys Mountain (18/1), The Weed Machine (20/1)

KING OF TONGA hasn't won for quite some time now but, having dropped to a career-low mark and with the usual headgear left off, David O'Meara's charge turned in his best effort of the season to finish runner-up at this track 5 days ago. He's taken to go a place better here dropped slightly in trip. Hajjam gets the vote to chase the selection home, ahead of Oso Rapido.