16:40 Musselburgh

Monday 9 October 2017

All15:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:4018:10

Isn't It Wiser To Bet At racinguk.com Handicap

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 1m 30.63s

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(2)

Sophie P⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 92| C

5/1

Didn't race as a two-year old hence seemingly late improvement. Career best when landing a good 1m handicap here latest. Carries a 6lb penalty and dropped to 7f today but still should go well.

Form: 227871

(1)

That Is The Spirit⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

9/2

Run well in valuable and competitive handicaps last twice. Further 2lb drop quite generous after latest effort when second of seven in group at Newmarket. Always bold from the front and looks a major player providing ground isn't too soft.

Form: 533596

(7)

Gurkha Friend⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 93

11/1

Good overall strike rate but unsuccessful in all eight career starts over 7f. Completed a quick double over 1m and 1m1f at Ripon in the spring but looks up against it at the weights here.

Form: 311386

(6)

Explain^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 91| D

18/1

Won three times this year, twice over 7f. Latest effort a disappointing 15L 12th of 14 off today's career high mark. Will enjoy return to 7f but handicapper likely has his measure now.

Form: 790210

(3)

Dark Profit^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| CD

6/1

Won three of last five starts and now at a career high mark. C&D winner latest on good to firm where he won easily by 2L. Up a further 6lb but biggest concern is ground as it seems the faster the better for him.

Form: 319161

(9)

Penwortham^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| BF| D

8/1

Had been slightly disappointing this season until winning at Chester on penultimate start over 7½f. Ran well enough behind Explain there latest when third but others more obviously well handicapped.

Form: 088513

(12)

Rousayan^h³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

14/1

Dropped into a claimer after looking vulnerable in handicaps off lesser marks than this he's won his last two races. Did well to win last time under a penalty but is now handed a stiff task off a mark of 89 as he searches for a hat-trick.

Form: 936311

(10)

Al Khan^p,t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Joe Doyle| T: K A Ryan| OR: 81| D

22/1

12-time winner doesn't look the force of old. Handicapper taking appropriate action but hasn't won this year and prefers good ground. Decent 2nd at Beverley on penultimate start gives him a squeak.

Form: 085925

(11)

Sakhee's Return^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

9/1

7f specialist will be hoping ground dries out. Disappointing on AW latest but running well on turf previously. Won at Catterick in August but 4lb higher here and unlikely to get optimum conditions.

Form: 540140

(4)

Storm Cry⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

13/2

Ended barren spell with a 6f win at Brighton on penultimate start. Not disgraced over 7f last time but often looked a doubtful stayer beyond 6f. Unsuccessful all 11 times he's ran off a mark in the 80s as he does here.

Form: 266413

(8)

Rock N Rolla¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 77| D

14/1

Yet to win in eight starts as a three-year old. Best effort probably came over 1m1f here on penultimate start. 3lb higher than that today and 7f form unappealing.

Form: 746629

Non-Runners

(5)

Muntadab⁹

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: R Fell & S Murray J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

That Is The Spirit (9/2), Sophie P (5/1), Dark Profit (6/1), Storm Cry (13/2), Penwortham (8/1), Sakhee's Return (9/1), Muntadab (10/1), Gurkha Friend (11/1), Rousayan (14/1), Rock N Rolla (14/1), Explain (18/1), Al Khan (22/1)

THAT IS THE SPIRIT ran well in a hot contest at Newmarket latest and dropped 2lb here will take some catching from an ideal draw. Muntadab has done little wrong lately and merits respect as does Sophie P who won a well contested race here last time and could easily overcome a penalty.