13:50 Musselburgh

Friday 24 March 2023

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0016:30

Racing TV Go North Lady Buttons Mares' Hurdle Series Final (Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 59.54s

Catchmeifyoucan^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 119| D

100/1

Tongue tie added to cheekpieces and just about better than ever when landing 7-runner handicap at Perth in September. Heavy defeat without headgear on return to action a fortnight ago and much better expected here with that under her belt.

Form: 514516

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Latino Fling⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| CD

9/1

Has landed 5 wins since joining this yard, the latest a 23f Bangor handicap off a 1 lb higher mark last summer. However, she has come up short since.

Form: 114765

Ravenscar²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112

10/1

Fairly useful Flat performer and gained victory number 3 over hurdles at Doncaster 3 weeks ago, helped by being held up in a strongly-run race. 5 lb rise fine and while she hasn't convinced over this sort of trip in the past, this track should help her.

Form: 210-141

Lone Star^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110| CD

3/1

At the very top of her game, completing hat -trick (fourth win in 5 starts) in taking style over this C&D 3 weeks ago. Up 10 lb in what is clearly a deeper race but has to be of interest in her current mood.

Form: 412111

Millarville³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 109| CD

16/1

Won twice back over hurdles last winter and stepped up on her reappearance effort when just touched off in mares' handicap at Kelso (2¼m, heavy) in December. Encountered much quicker ground when suffering a heavy defeat at Newcastle a month ago.

Form: 416-524

Nora The Xplorer^b¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105| D

11/1

Pair of mares' novice wins at up to 3m early last year and ran up to best (in first-time blinkers) when third in handicap at Doncaster (19.4f) in January. Another sound effort when occupying same spot at Ayr but she isn't obiviously capable of better.

Form: 5-43363

Bella Bluesky¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 99| C

17/2

Bagged a Kelso novice last winter and ended 2021/22 campaign with a creditable effort in a Perth handicap (20.2f). Sound return to action when occupying same spot at Newcastle (17f) in January but she recoiled from that effort at Sedgefield 10 days ago.

Form: 2163-3P

Maimie's Magic⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 99

5/1

Well held in maiden/novice hurdles but left those efforts well behind since sent handicapping, scoring at Kelso and Newcastle (up to 18.1f). 5 lb higher now but another bold bid anticipated with this trip expected to suit.

Form: 900511

Poppy Rose³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 91

11/2

Down in the weights and easily her best effort yet when second to Lone Star at Ayr last month. Just out of the weights this time.

Form: 0B-F432

Spot On Soph^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: S England| OR: 84

6/1

Won a pair of 19f Catterick handicap chases last winter. Lower in the weights over hurdles and found only one too good at Sedgefield in December. Well behind Lone Star here 3 weeks ago and 9 lb "wrong" here.

Form: 3-45225

Misty Mani⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Niven| OR: 83

33/1

Returned from a break in fine form, completing a hat-trick between July and September. Seemed to go off the boil in January and this a tough race to bounce back in from well out of the handicap.

Form: 14U355

Forecasts

Lone Star (3/1), Maimie's Magic (5/1), Poppy Rose (11/2), Spot On Soph (6/1), Bella Bluesky (17/2), Latino Fling (9/1), Ravenscar (10/1), Nora The Xplorer (11/1), Millarville (16/1), Misty Mani (33/1), Catchmeifyoucan (100/1)

The switch to handicaps has seen MAIMIE'S MAGIC take off, and with this step up in trip sure to suit, the hat-trick is a distinct possibility for this Irish raider. Phil Kirby saddles a couple of bang in-form mares in Lone Star and Ravenscar and they head the opposition.