16:35 Musselburgh

Saturday 3 February 2024

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Glynn Carroll Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 3m 52.9s

Lively Citizen²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 112| D

18/1

Multiple hurdles winner who would have likely doubled his tally over fences but for stumbling and falling soon after 2 out at this course (15.8f) 29 days ago. Back over the smaller obstacles now and can't be dismissed under a handy 7-lb conditional.

Form: 04-164F

Bix Beiderbecke^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| D

40/1

Fair form in bumpers and opened his account at the second time of asking over hurdles in a Perth novice in May. However, ran poorly on his return over C&D and was on the retreat when departing at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

Form: 463-18F

Langton Wold³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 108

10/1

Fair Flat winner who didn't need to improve much to open his account over hurdles at the third attempt in 8-runner maiden at Sedgefield (16.8f) 39 days ago, pulling way to front after first and clear 2 out. A strong pace will suit now handicapping and he's worthy of respect.

Form: 221

Can't Stop Now^h¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 107| CD

12/1

Free-going sort who caused a surprise when doubling his hurdles tally over C&D in March. Pulled up there later in the month but should be spot on for this return to hurdling following a recent spin on the Flat.

Form: 6/35410-

Restandbethankful^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 106| D

6/1

Notched second success over fences at Sedgefield in October and ran well from his lower hurdles mark when runner-up at Catterick (15.7f) 33 days ago. Much respected from 2 lb higher.

Form: 124222

Cancan³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 100| D

5/1

Landed a 2m mares' novice hurdle at Ayr in November 2021 and proved she retains all of her ability on second start back after an absence when runner-up over C&D in December. Not disgraced with her usual hood left off in a far stronger race back here since.

Form: 228/P25

Astrophysicist^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Gavin Brouder⁽³⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 99

28/1

Remains a maiden after 18 NH runs but hinted at a rival when tenth of 21 in a handicap at Naas (16f, soft, 20/1) 22 days ago, fourth when bad mistake last. Needs to build on that.

Form: 30-0000

Bashful^p,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 93| BF| D

3/1

Won a 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in November 2022 and successful 4 times on the level last year. Wasn't quite at his best when only fourth of 9 back hurdling over C&D in November but ran as well as he ever has when runner-up on the Flat at Newcastle 12 days ago. Must enter calculations.

Form: 01234-4

Superbolt^t1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: A J Martin| OR: 104

15/8

Fair maiden on the Flat who improved on his yard/hurdles debut form when fourth of 10 in a juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse (16.1f, heavy) in December. Failed to repeat that effort at Punchestown but can't be written off now handicapping. Tongue strap on.

Form: 648

Don't Look Back⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 88

100/1

Fair handicapper on Flat (stays 1m) but well held completed starts in this sphere. Has left Lucinda Russell ahead of this handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 4/6F7-

Non-Runners

Malbas³⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: J C McConnell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Superbolt (15/8), Bashful (3/1), Cancan (5/1), Restandbethankful (6/1), Malbas (6/1), Langton Wold (10/1), Can't Stop Now (12/1), Lively Citizen (18/1), Astrophysicist (28/1), Bix Beiderbecke (40/1), Don't Look Back (100/1)

It's unlikely BASHFUL will match his fairly useful Flat form in this sphere, but he still has plenty of room for manoeuvre from a modest hurdling mark and is fancied to take advantage. Langton Wold and Restandbethankful head the dangers.