15:55 Musselburgh

Sunday 20 February 2022

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 13.26s

Lock Down Luke⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 102

9/2

Bumper winner who matched previous best over hurdles when third in a 2m Kelso handicap in December, his jumping proving more efficient. Not disgraced when filling same spot at Wetherby (19.7f) since.

Form: F93433

Bridge Road²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 97

2/1

Sholokhov gelding who has showed bits of promise in a handful of maiden/novice hurdles at around 2m so far this winter. Feasible to think he can do better in line with longer trip now handicapping.

Form: 6-P8555

Aazza⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 97| BF

11/1

Point scorer who proved willing when landing a mares' novice hurdle on Rules bow at Hexham (2m) in November. Similar form when second under a penalty back there since and more to come now handicapping

Form: 1-12

Go Bob Go^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 93

12/1

Fair maiden who turned in another respectable effort when fourth in a C&D handicap 2 weeks ago, one paced run-in. Handicapper has relinquished his grip and entitled to give another good account.

Form: 662534

Hold Onto The Line^p,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 91

33/1

£30,000 buy after finishing second in Irish point. Yet to better modest form in trio of maiden/novice hurdles at around 20f. Needs to find some improvement now handicapping.

Form: 0-2375

Rickety Gate¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 88| BF| D

13/2

Cashed in off 5 lb lower mark at Carlisle (20f) in October, looking well served by the step back up to 2½m. Not in same form at Kelso (20.8f) in November but given a break since. Bounce back likely.

Form: 56-7516

Zara's Universe^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR: 82

16/1

Long-standing maiden who ran creditably without proving a match for an improving sort when 14 lengths second at Market Rasen (20.6f) on Boxing Day. May find a couple too good again.

Form: 463242

Killane^p⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 81| BF| D

5/1

Found some improvement to double career tally at Newcastle (2m) in December and not disgraced in when midfield in a race containing more depth when fifth at Ayr (2m) next time. Should go well again.

Form: 601U15

That's Your Lottie^h,t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: S Mulqueen| T: K Scott| OR: 75

11/1

7-y-o mare who surpassed previous efforts under Rules when runner-up over 15.5f here in January, easily doing best of those ridden close up. Now her task is to back that up.

Form: 675072

Abouttimeyoutoldme³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 67

100/1

No impact on Flat/over hurdles during 2019/20 and similarly it's been low-key stuff upon returning from a lengthy absence this winter. Needs to show more despite tumbling mark.

Form: 060P/60

Non-Runners

Gemologist¹⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Forecasts

Bridge Road (2/1), Lock Down Luke (9/2), Killane (5/1), Rickety Gate (13/2), That's Your Lottie (11/1), Aazza (11/1), Go Bob Go (12/1), Gemologist (14/1), Zara's Universe (16/1), Hold Onto The Line (33/1), Abouttimeyoutoldme (100/1)

Plenty arrive with chances and it may pay to side with RICKETY GATE. A winner at Carlisle in October, he possibly wasn't 100% at Kelso thereafter, and given a break since, it would come as no surprise to see him get back on the up. Handicap debutante Aazza, Killane and Lock Down Luke are a trio of others fancied to feature.