16:27 Musselburgh

Saturday 1 February 2025

All13:4214:1714:5015:2215:5716:27

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:28 | Winning time: 3m 39.93s

Camarrate^t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

16/1

Landed a double over hurdles at Fakenham and Sedgefield (16.8f) at the back end of last season. Shaped as if better for the run when third on handicap bow at Aintree on comeback but underperformed when fifth of 7 in at Doncaster in November. Has had wind op.

Form: 421-135

Mr Mackay¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 110

6/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler who failed to build on promising start over fences, jumped poorly in first-time cheekpieces when second at Southwell in October. Headgear off and back over hurdles today and market may hint at what's expected returning from a 101-day absence.

Form: 247-342

Cuban Cigar^b,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 109| CD

14/1

C&D winner and finished third on this card last year (behind Afadil in the Scottish County Hurdle). Race wasn't run to suit when fourth of 6 over C&D latest but should be up to full fitness now and big run could be in the offing now that the handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: 372474

Rory The Cat^b,t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Conner McCann⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 109| CD

33/1

Dual winner of juvenile hurdles here last winter and added to his tally on the Flat returned to this venue in August. However, ran below form back in this sphere at Wetherby and improvement needed on the back of that effort.

Form: 61165-6

Koukeo⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107

10/1

Runner-up in a bumper and he made a promising start in this sphere, twice finishing second, latest behind an easy winner when at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) 53 days ago. Should have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 0-222

Book Of Tales³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107

12/1

Flat winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Fontwell in August 2023, before finishing well-held on the Flat in September 2023. Shaped with plenty of encouragement on return to this sphere when second at Doncaster at the end of last year (travelled well) and entitled to build on that.

Form: 1-2

Moonshine Man³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 106

15/2

Showed a fair level of ability when runner-up in 2m Southwell maiden on only his second hurdle start and ran to a similar level when fifth in a novice hurdle at Kempton (16f) on Boxing Day. Needs to step up on what's he shown so far if he's to be involved here.

Form: 5725

No No Fizz³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 106| CD

12/1

Back to back wins at the end of last year, including over C&D but progress for new trainer came to a screeching halt when well-beaten at Doncaster on latest start. Short break will have done her no harm but this looks to be the best race she's contested.

Form: 2P-4115

Scots Poet^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 105| CD

9/2

Won this race in 2023 and is now 4 lb below his last winning mark. Not at his best in recent starts (third of 6 over C&D latest) but needs a stronger gallop to be seen to best effect and he may get that here. Interesting.

Form: 404073

Sergeant⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Anna Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 105| D

16/1

Unreliable type but capable on his day as shown when he resumed winning ways in no uncertain terms at Newton Abbot (16.7f) in August. More miss than hit subsequently and although he wasn't disgraced when third in a 9-runner Wincanton handicap hurdle 58 days ago, more is needed here.

Form: 215R83

Fostered Phil^t⁶²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 104| DWS

40/1

Returned from a long absence to reach the frame in a trio of handicap hurdles in 2022/23. Continued in good heart when runner-up at Perth on chase debut in May 2023 but not seen since although he has good record fresh, this looks a tough comeback assignment following wind surgery at 11 years of age.

Form: 51234/2-

Muzaffar^t,p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 104

25/1

Useful on Flat for Richard Fahey and made an encouraging start over hurdles at Newcastle in December 2023, Ran to a similar level returning from a year off when third in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen and he could be open to improvement now tackling handicaps in first-time headgear.

Form: 3-3

Rightfolksplease^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Gavin Brouder⁽³⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 103| BF

18/1

Failed to complete on 3 of his last 5 chase starts. Has something to find back over hurdles today, although he was well-backed when last scoring in this sphere, so one to keep an eye on in the betting.

Form: FF263F

Diamond Egg⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 100| D

66/1

Well beaten on first run for yard after leaving Chris Gordon, too keen and likely lacking for fitness. Hard to recommend on the back of that effort but today should reveal more.

Form: U431/6-0

Bashful^t,p²¹

7/2

Winner of back-to-back C&D handicaps (including this race last year) Generally struggled since but signs of life when fourth on the Flat earlier this month. Had another wind operation since and very interesting returning to this venue only 1 lb higher than his last winning mark.

Form: 411-855

Forecasts

Bashful (7/2), Scots Poet (9/2), Mr Mackay (6/1), Moonshine Man (15/2), Koukeo (10/1), No No Fizz (12/1), Book Of Tales (12/1), Cuban Cigar (14/1), Camarrate (16/1), Sergeant (16/1), Rightfolksplease (18/1), Muzaffar (25/1), Rory The Cat (33/1), Fostered Phil (40/1), Diamond Egg (66/1)

In an open-looking contest, a handful of course specialists are taken to come to the fore. Twice sucessful over C&D, SCOTS POET travelled well when third here on New Years Day and he can build on that effort with a stronger pace to aim at today. Fellow two-time course winner Cuban Cigar ran well in a better race on this card 12 months ago and he's been given a chance by the handicapper, while last year's winner Bashful is well-treated if back on song. Of the rest, Muzaffar could be the improver.