Musselburgh

Tomorrow, February 1, 2025HurdleClass 41m7f

Verdict

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.

Scots Poet
Cuban Cigar
Bashful

1m7f Hcap Hrd

Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places

1. Camarrate
J: Brian HughesT: Donald McCain
F: 421-135
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
110
Days Since Last Run:
63
Verdict
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. Needs to bounce back returning from short break.
2. Mr Mackay
J: James TurnerT: Nigel Twiston-Davies
F: 92247-342
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
110
Days Since Last Run:
101
Verdict
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.
3. Cuban Cigar
J: Alan DoyleT: Lucinda Russell
F: 42-372474
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-12
Gear:
blinkers and tongue strap
Official Rating:
109
Days Since Last Run:
31
Verdict
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.
4. Rory The Cat
J: Conner McCannT: Lucinda Russell
F: 61165-6
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-12
Gear:
blinkers and tongue strap
Official Rating:
109
Days Since Last Run:
56
Verdict
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.
5. Koukeo
J: Benjamin MaceyT: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
F: 0222
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
107
Days Since Last Run:
53
Verdict
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.
6. Book Of Tales
J: Lilly PinchinT: Charlie Longsdon
F: 1-2
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
107
Days Since Last Run:
34
Verdict
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.
7. Moonshine Man
J: Brendan PowellT: Henrietta C Knight
F: 5725
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
106
Days Since Last Run:
37
Verdict
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.
8. No No Fizz
J: Tom BroughtonT: Fergal O'Brien
F: 652P-4115
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
106
Days Since Last Run:
34
Verdict
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.
9. Scots Poet
J: Craig NicholT: Ewan Whillans
F: 01-404073
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
31
Verdict
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.
10. Sergeant
J: Miss Anna JohnstonT: Anthony Charlton
F: 54/215R83
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
58
Verdict
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.
11. Fostered Phil
J: Charlie MaggsT: James Ewart
F: 234/2-
Price History:
-
Age:
11
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
626
Verdict
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.
12. Muzaffar
J: James RobottomT: Adrian Keatley
F: 3-3
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
37
Verdict
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.
13. Rightfolksplease
J: Gavin Peter BrouderT: Paul W. Flynn, Ireland
F: 17FF263F
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
103
Days Since Last Run:
11
Verdict
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.
14. Diamond Egg
J: Paul O'BrienT: Henrietta C Knight
F: 1U431/6-0
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
43
Verdict
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.
15. Bashful
J: Danny McMenaminT: Iain Jardine
F: 34/411-855
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
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.
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Musselburgh

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