14:45 Musselburgh

Sunday 18 February 2024

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5016:2016:50

Join tote.co.uk The Cream Of The Crop Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 6m 17.20s

Call Me Harry⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 112| CD

3/1

Goes well at this track (C&D scorer in November), is unexposed as a stayer and showed improved form despite a shoddy round of jumping when second over C&D on New Year's Day, rallying but always held. Up 3 lb but risky with the potential for mistakes.

Form: 4421U2

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Balkardy^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110

13/2

Consistent as they come at this level, once again giving his running in staying Ffos Las handicap hurdle 17 days ago. Can make presence felt in re-fitted cheekpieces.

Form: 3-22223

Cardamon Hill¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 108

33/1

Maiden hurdle winner in Ireland for Gordon Elliott. Fair efforts first 2 starts in handicap chases for present yard but has lost his way, never involved back over hurdles here a fortnight ago. Could only be fancied if supported in the betting back up in distance.

Form: 6355P0

Masked Crusader^t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108| D

12/1

Landed a pair of novice hurdles in 2022. Temperament has come under suspicion since, although he showed a bit more back over hurdles at Catterick 7 weeks ago. Potentially interesting off a low mark on first crack over this sort of trip.

Form: 1/4UP-P3

Jem In Em^b1,t⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107

13/2

Bumper winner who confirmed previous encouragement in this sphere when scoring at Kelso (25.8f) in October. It's been hard work twice since (looks a thorough stayer) and this stronger headgear will help.

Form: 76-3144

Sean Og¹³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 104

40/1

Has gone well back over hurdles the last twice and suspect this longer trip will suit but he's probably still high enough in the weights.

Form: 092525

Valleyview Tommy⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 103

11/4

Irish point runner-up is bred to stay well and has shown fair form in a pair of starts over hurdles so far, second of 8 in novice here (19.8f, soft, 7/2) on latter occasion. Respected handicap newcomer up in trip for good yard.

Form: FF232

So Many Roads^t1⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 99| BF

7/2

Much improved when justifying support on handicap debut in 17-runner contest at Ayr (20.5f, heavy) a year ago. Not so good this term though and this looks tough. Tongue tie goes on.

Form: 61F-645

Non-Runners

Headscarf Lil⁶⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Valleyview Tommy (11/4), Call Me Harry (3/1), So Many Roads (7/2), Balkardy (13/2), Jem In Em (13/2), Headscarf Lil (15/2), Masked Crusader (12/1), Cardamon Hill (33/1), Sean Og (40/1)

VALLEYVIEW TOMMY is interesting upped markedly in trip for his handicap debut and could leave his previous form behind. Balkardy should give his running again, while Masked Crusader is potentially interesting on his first go over this sort of distance.