16:05 Musselburgh

Sunday 4 February 2024

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

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 59.10s

Voix Du Reve^p⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 115| D

22/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark when winning at Ayr in April and confirmed he retains plenty of zest on his first 2 starts this term, a shuddering error as he made his move ending his chance here in November. Seemingly not 100% at Aintree a month later but the assessor has given him a chance.

Form: 61-649P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Welsh Charger⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 114

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler who enhanced good strike (3-6) when landing 9-runner Market Rasen handicap (18.6f) 6 weeks ago. Handicapper applies a little more pressure but that opened up more options trip-wise and he's one to consider.

Form: 2121-41

Cardamon Hill³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 112

50/1

Maiden hurdle winner in Ireland for Gordon Elliott. Fair efforts first 2 starts in handicap chases for present yard but subsequent efforts in that sphere have been underwhelming. Returns to timber now with a bit to prove.

Form: 26355P

Lone Star^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 111| CD

12/1

Had a productive time in 2022/23, scoring 5 times (twice over C&D). Best effort of present campaign when third back here in November and testing ground probably caught her out at Aintree when last seen in December. Likely type to bounce back.

Form: 16-6638

Duyfken³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111| CD

6/1

Signed off last term with a win at Perth and built on pair of placed efforts this term when resuming winning ways over C&D 4 weeks ago, making all and finding extra to fend off Lihyan by ¾ length. Still unexposed at this sort of trip so not discounted from 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 421-331

Lihyan^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 110| BF| CD

4/1

Gained first success for present yard over C&D in December and possible he'd of won had he jumped better when ¾-length second of 8 to Duyfken back here 4 weeks ago. Mark has crept up but possibilities in present groove.

Form: 0-55512

Les's Legacy^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd| T: S Corbett| OR: 106

25/1

Three-time hurdle winner last season. Hasn't quite matched that form in 2 runs over fences but step back in right direction (in first-time cheekpieces) when fourth of 8 to Duyfken in handicap hurdle at this C&D (soft) 30 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 4-22544

Dance Thief⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Smith⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 105| D

14/1

Point winner who has improved for switch to handicaps in this sphere, runner-up over this sort of trip at Carlisle before filling same spot at Ayr (18f) 46 days ago. This tougher but he remains less exposed than most.

Form: 9-43522

Whelans Bridge^t1⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 102WS

50/1

Showed ability in points and modest form over hurdles in 2022. Easy to back and dropped away quickly on belated return/handicap debut at Ayr (20.5f, soft) in December and tongue tie now reached for having undergone wind surgery.

Form: 3152/3-P

Faithfulflyer^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 101| C

7/1

Had a productive first season for Sandy Thomson, scoring twice, and good third of 7 on return at Kelso in October. Lesser efforts here/Newcastle followed towards the end of last year but eased in weights and player from this mark on pick of his form if bouncing back.

Form: 322-307

Impact Du Bonheur^p1,t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 101

3/1

Bought for €90,000 after winning the third of 3 bumper starts in France. Some promise over hurdles for new yard and he looked unsuited by the way the race developed when last of 7 on handicap debut at Sandown in December. Not one to write off for top yard with cheekpieces now enlisted.

Form: 212-47

Diamond State^p,t⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 101| CD

40/1

Goes well here and he's on an attractive mark but there are no real positives to take from what he's shown in 2 starts following a wind op. Steps back up in trip now.

Form: 324U-P8

Non-Runners

Garde Des Champs³⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Sleeping Satellite⁵¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Impact Du Bonheur (3/1), Welsh Charger (7/2), Lihyan (4/1), Duyfken (6/1), Faithfulflyer (7/1), Sleeping Satellite (7/1), Garde Des Champs (10/1), Lone Star (12/1), Dance Thief (14/1), Voix Du Reve (22/1), Les's Legacy (25/1), Diamond State (40/1), Whelans Bridge (50/1), Cardamon Hill (50/1)

Plenty to ponder in an interesting handicap with SLEEPING SATELLITE earning the vote. Donald McCain's 6-y-o showed improved form when runner-up at Doncaster last month, finding only another well-treated sort too strong, and this longer trip could well unlock further progress. Impact du Bonheur needs considering also for Paul Nicholls, with Welsh Charger and recent C&D 1-2 Duyfken and Lihyan completing the shortlist.