14:50 Musselburgh

Sunday 19 February 2023

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:30

Leaping Deere Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 15.30s

Heros De Moutiers¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 95

4/1

Winning pointer who has yet to better modest form under Rules but latest 19f Catterick handicap third was more encouraging and he's still fairly unexposed for a good stable.

Form: 100473

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Nights Of Doyen^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: Kate Leckenby| OR: 88

66/1

Modest ex-Irish maiden who was reported to have made a respiratory noise when pulled up on last month's British debut. The tongue strap he wore in Ireland is quickly refitted.

Form: 09987P

Getabeau²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 88

9/1

Fair form in bumpers. Comfortably held in 2m maiden/novice hurdles in December/January but handicaps could see him in a better light and Brian Hughes takes the ride. Interesting runner.

Form: 52750

Its A Midnight^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 87

12/1

Modest in bumpers. Offered something to work on when third of 6 on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m) in May but well held since, including in a handicap.

Form: 53-3458

Euchan Falls^p1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: R M Smith| OR: 85

10/3

Posted a very good second of 17 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.5f) at the turn of the year. Not far off that level when sixth in another big-field event at Wetherby since. Cheekpieces added. Likely to be very competitive.

Form: 769-926

Ultra Violet^v1⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 85

14/1

Fairly useful on Flat in France but he's yet to match that form over hurdles, pulling up here at the start of January. Now steps up in trip with a first-time visor replacing his usual cheekpieces.

Form: F334-7P

Charlie's Rockstar^h³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 85WS

33/1

Runner-up in Irish points but has looked limited under Rules. Has had wind surgery since pulling up at Sedgefield last month.

Form: 2-P4P8P

Paramaribo^t,v1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 84

11/2

Fair maiden on Flat (stays 12.5f). Down the field all 3 starts over hurdles but handicaps provide him with a more realistic chance of success. One to note in the betting with a first-time visor added.

Form: 680

Northern Falcon^v1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 81

7/1

Twice placed in bumpers but has yet to better poor form over hurdles, tearing off in first-time blinkers (visored now) when running out over 3m here at the turn of the year.

Form: 696-60R

Worldly Approach³³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H McMahon| OR: 74

150/1

Poor hurdler for R Mike Smith who unseated around halfway in a hunter chase for new yard last March. Absent since a fall in a point later that month.

Form: 88/50UF-

Smart Boyo^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 72

5/1

Modest Flat winner. Most encouraging effort to date over hurdles when fourth of 9 over 3m at Fakenham 17 days ago, fading late on as if his stamina was possibly stretched. This return to shorter should suit. One to consider.

Form: P587-04

Non-Runners

Diamant Sur Canape⁴⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: Ewan Whillans J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Euchan Falls (10/3), Heros De Moutiers (4/1), Smart Boyo (5/1), Paramaribo (11/2), Northern Falcon (7/1), Getabeau (9/1), Its A Midnight (12/1), Ultra Violet (14/1), Diamant Sur Canape (20/1), Charlie's Rockstar (33/1), Nights Of Doyen (66/1), Worldly Approach (150/1)

The booking of Brian Hughes for GETABEAU looks potentially significant so he's the suggestion in this open handicap. Euchan Falls has shown he can impact from his mark and is second choice ahead of Phil Kirby's Smart Boyo, who promises to be suited by this return to a shorter trip.