15:40 Musselburgh

Sunday 1 February 2026

All12:5513:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 7f 180y | 14 Runners | Turf

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 145| D

Top-class chaser on his day and caught the eye when third on reappearance last season in the Old Roan at Aintree. Has struggled for form since, though, well held back over hurdles in Grade 2 at Newbury in November. Makes handicap hurdle debut but others more persuasive.

Form: PPF5-66

Anyway^p⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Carl Millar⁽⁵⁾| T: D Budds| OR: 138

14/1

Useful handicap hurdler who bettered that form over fences when second in novice handicap (20.6f) at Cheltenham Festival last season, before winning a Kilbeggan maiden in June. However, seemed stretched by stepping up to around 3m last 2 starts. Back over hurdles after 3 months off.

Form: 521U8-4

Red Risk^p⁷¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

20/1

After 9-month absence, good third in this race last year before getting back to winning ways at Uttoxeter (23.3f, soft) next time. However, has run poorly last 2 starts, returning from 8 months off when well beaten at Haydock in November. Others preferred.

Form: 7/6310-0

Double Powerful^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 138

7/2

Had a most progressive first spell in handicap hurdles, completing a 6-timer with success at Cheltenham in November 2024. Failed to complete 2 of 3 starts sent chasing this season, but back on track when runner-up in Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton (21f, good) 22 days ago. Respected.

Form: 3-3UFU2

Encanto Bruno^h1²³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 136| D

33/1

Useful form when winning twice over hurdles in 2023/24, including success on stable debut for Gavin Cromwell. However, ended that season on a low-key note and well below that level over fences last 3 starts. Returns from 7 months off having rejoined former trainer. Hood applied.

Form: 89/PP2-2

Sonigino^t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

4/1

Useful handicap hurdler at best who was absent 20 months prior to the current season. Showed the benefit of his comeback run when never-nearer third at Sandown (19.8f, good to soft) 29 days ago, so he's a major player upped in trip from 5 lb below last winning mark.

Form: 10P0/03

I Love My Baie⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 131

25/1

Improved when making a winning handicap debut at Newbury in March 2024 and made the frame next 3 starts. However, in first-time cheekpieces he failed to come on for recent run when well held at Navan (25.4f, heavy) in December. Engaged 2.25 Leopardstown Saturday.

Form: 437U0-7

Lihyan^h⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 128| C

7/1

Suited by speed test when landing fifth win for current connections at Huntingdon (25f) in May. Has continued in good heart since, despite again not getting the race run to suit when second at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) in December. Needs everything to drop right.

Form: 373332

Beachcomber^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

25/1

Career best when landing handicap chase at Kempton (24f, good to soft) last season and good third in Pat Taaffe Chase at Punchestown in May. However, well below form in 3 starts back from a break, so has something to prove reverted to hurdles. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 163-PP5

Idem⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 127

14/1

Successful twice last season and returned with a good second at Hexham (23.3f, good) in October. Not seen to best effect next time, before a rare below-par effort at Haydock on latest outing in December. Largely consistent so he could bounce back.

Form: 140-258

Florida Dreams^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125| C

6/1

Without a win since 2024/25 reappearance but has been holding his form well, runner-up on seasonal/chasing debut before placed back over hurdles last 3 starts, third of 8 in handicap at Aintree (20f, good) on Boxing Day. Can give his running once more.

Form: 24-2233

The Gray Ghost^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 117| BF

8/1

Opened hurdles account at third attempt for current yard last season and has been shaping up well in handicaps, travelling well into contention when fourth of 12 at Ascot (21.7f, good to soft) last time. Needs to prove himself at this longer trip.

Form: 27-6454

Highland Fashion^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 116| D

10/1

Split a pair of subsequent graded novice hurdle winners on final start in bumpers. Has benefited from going up in trip this season, making a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (23.7f) in November and improving again when second at Ayr (24.3f, soft) 30 days ago. Could be in the mix.

Form: 324-612

Bel Amigo^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser in France who completed a hat-trick in novice hurdles at Carlisle in the spring. Placed 3 times in handicaps this season and shaped as if still in form when fifth of 9 at this course (19.8f, good to soft) last time, though more needed up in trip.

Form: 1-63225

Forecasts

Double Powerful (7/2), Sonigino (5/1), Florida Dreams (6/1), Lihyan (7/1), The Gray Ghost (8/1), Anyway (12/1), Idem (12/1), Highland Fashion (14/1), Bel Amigo (16/1), Ahoy Senor (16/1), Red Risk (20/1), Beachcomber (20/1), I Love My Baie (20/1), Encanto Bruno (25/1)

SONIGINO stepped forward from his reappearance run when third at Sandown 29 days ago, rallying well from the last, so he is taken to return to winning ways upped in trip. Heading the list of dangers is Double Powerful, who got back on the up when second in the Lanzarote last time, while Highland Fashion could still have more to offer as a stayer.