15:00 Musselburgh

Sunday 4 February 2024

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:35

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 58.90s

Springwell Bay^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 143

4/1

Scored at Cheltenham in November and not disgraced in first-time tongue strap when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle there (24f, soft) 34 days ago. Considered.

Form: 3116-14

Absolute Notions⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

4/1

Irish raider who easily landed 3-runner conditions hurdle at Fairyhouse (20.5f, heavy) 89 days ago. Player now going into handicaps with few miles on the clock.

Form: 1/132P-1

Anna Bunina^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 140

18/1

It's now 11 runs since last win in 2022 and he came in only eleventh of 19 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 63 days ago. Significantly up in trip with work to do.

Form: 932-640

Wakool^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 139| CD

14/1

C&D winner who posted a solid second of 4 in handicap hurdle (5/2) at Ayr (24.3f, heavy) 33 days ago. Can go well again.

Form: 410-6F2

Chinx Of Light⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 135| D

22/1

33/1, hinted at a revival when seventh of 19 in handicap hurdle at Naas (19.9f, soft) 84 days ago, not knocked about. Can take a step forward.

Form: 2F5F-57

Hector Javilex^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133| D

28/1

Made mistakes when only fourth of 5 in handicap chase at Newbury (23.4f, soft) on debut over fences 46 days ago. Not discounted switched back to hurdles.

Form: 54140-4

Peking Rose^t⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132

20/1

Posted a career best when winning 6-runner handicap hurdle (3/1) at Doncaster (19.4f, good) 64 days ago. Up in trip and well in the mix.

Form: 27/16P-1

Building Bridges¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Gary McGill| OR: 131

40/1

A dual winner this season and not disgraced when ninth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (19.9f, good to soft) 100 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 314-119

Silent Revolution^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

9/1

Had wind op/tongue strap on for 1st time when respectabe third of 6 in handicap hurdle at Newbury (20.5f, soft) 36 days ago, finding little. No surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 3P437-3

Dare To Shout^t1⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 126| D

50/1

Last of 5 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (16.9f, soft) 52 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Tongue strap on 1st time. Can give a good account if shrugging off latest effort.

Form: 117-185

Noble Birth^t⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR: 121

14/1

Dual winner over hurdles for Gordon Elliott last year. Cheekpieces on for 1st time when solid fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, heavy) 78 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Shortlisted.

Form: 909-P24

Almuhit^p,t1³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R P McLernon| T: E Mullins| OR: 117

6/1

9/2, first run since leaving Adrian Joyce when below form twelfth of 21 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (20f, heavy) 38 days ago. Tongue strap/cheekpieces on with more required.

Form: 62660-0

Imaginary Dragon³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117

5/1

Improved again to get off the mark in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f, heavy) 37 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up despite taking a 7 b rise.

Form: P/303-21

Curley Finger^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| CD

16/1

C&D scorer who resumed winning ways at Newcastle (23.7f, heavy) 29 days ago, always holding on. One to consider desite being 2 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5-34P91

Non-Runners

Carnfunnock⁴⁹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: S R B Crawford J: Ben Bromley

Forecasts

Springwell Bay (4/1), Absolute Notions (4/1), Imaginary Dragon (5/1), Almuhit (6/1), Silent Revolution (9/1), Carnfunnock (10/1), Noble Birth (14/1), Wakool (14/1), Curley Finger (16/1), Anna Bunina (18/1), Peking Rose (20/1), Chinx Of Light (22/1), Hector Javilex (28/1), Building Bridges (40/1), Dare To Shout (50/1)

A case can be made for plenty of these but Gordon Elliott's ABSOLUTE NOTIONS appeals as a likely improver now going into handicaps so is fancied to follow up his Fairyhouse success after a break. Fellow Irish challenger Carnfunnock figures on a handy-looking mark so must enter calculations, while a solid case can also be made for Doncaster-victor Peking Rose and C&D winner Wakool.