16:00 Musselburgh

Wednesday 8 November 2023

All12:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

RacingTV For Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 51.85s

Collingham²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Maggs⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| CD

7/2

Enjoyed a good campaign last term, winning at Wetherby and over C&D alongside a pair of close seconds. Found life tougher in a more competitive environment at Aintree (16.5f, good to soft) on final start but is 3-3 on his seasonal debuts and has to be respected.

Form: 2321U7-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Voix Du Reve^p¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 121| D

5/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark when winning at Ayr (20.5f, good) in April. Confirmed he retains all enthusiasm when fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) on return 13 days ago. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: F361-64

Matchless^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 119| BF| D

11/2

Fairly useful Flat performer who scored at Newcastle and Catterick over this sort of trip last term. Patchy on the level recently and though he remains on an interesting mark if able to match his best form in that sphere, others are preferred. Cheekpieces on first time over jumps.

Form: 12613-2

The Churchill Lad^h²²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 116| D

14/1

Won juvenile events at Cartmel and Catterick early last season. Ended campaign with creditable fifth on handicap bow at Musselburgh (17.4f) and isn't fully ruled out on return here.

Form: 214275-

Theatre Legend³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 115| D

12/1

Went extremely close to cashing in on a much-reduced mark on his return from 17 months off when second of 11 in handicap hurdle (40/1) at Sedgefield (19.8f, good to soft) 36 days ago. Respected down in trip.

Form: 3335/8-2

Colonial Empire²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 113| D

15/2

Progressive last season, winning 3 times, including at Taunton (16.5f) on final outing when he showed an impressive turn of foot to settle matters early in the straight. Probably needed the run in a much tougher contest at Chepstow on return and he holds frame claims.

Form: 21161-0

Cuban Cigar^p,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 111| C| D

6/1

Held his form admirably well last term, deservedly getting his head back in front at Musselburgh (17.5f) and ran a blinder when runner-up at Perth on his return. Disappointing under very inexperienced rider on Flat since but he's not one to discount back over obstacles.

Form: 43312-2

Diamond State^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105| CD

25/1

Winner over fences here last season but went with little encouragement after a wind-op on his return at Carlisle (20f, soft) 20 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on but has bit to prove after that lacklustre effort.

Form: 4324U-P

Scots Poet^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 103| CD

5/1

Scored over C&D (15.6f) in February and would have gone close to following up the month after if not for a couple of rare jumping lapses. Entitled to be sharper for his recent Kelso return and he holds place claims.

Form: 3134-24

Forecasts

Collingham (7/2), Scots Poet (5/1), Voix Du Reve (5/1), Matchless (11/2), Cuban Cigar (6/1), Colonial Empire (15/2), Theatre Legend (12/1), The Churchill Lad (14/1), Diamond State (25/1)

A tricky event, in which the veteran VOIX DU REVE is fancy to resume winning ways having quickly slipped back near the mark from which he won at Ayr late last season. Theatre Legend missed the bulk of last season but went with plenty of enthusiasm when narrowly denied at Sedgefield last time and should be in the mix again provided there's no "bounce," whilst Collingham has a fine record fresh and held his form well last term, so also merits consideration.