12:40 Musselburgh

Wednesday 6 November 2019

All12:4013:1513:4514:2014:5015:2515:55

Congratulations Gerry - Back To Back Champion Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 3m 48.75s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Ashington³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Cook| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 121| D

4/11

Off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles when slamming his opposition to score by thirteen-length at Stratford (2m; good to soft) last month. This looks a weaker contest and so he has major follow-up claims under a penalty.

Form: 21

Illustrissime¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 119| BF| D

13/2

Not progressed since winning an ordinary race on hurdles debut at Southwell (2m; good) back in July. Well-beaten when last seen on the flat, so has something to prove on return to this code.

Form: 123

Abouttimeyoutoldme³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: A C Whillans

100/1

0-5 on the flat and suffered a heavy defeat on hurdles bow at Kelso (2m; soft) last month. Highly unlikely to see him playing any significant role in this contest, and so he is readily opposed.

Form: 0

Astute Boy^p,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 99

33/1

More exposed than some of his rivals and is still chasing that elusive first success over hurdles (0-10). Posted a couple of quiet efforts on the flat recently. Last run over hurdles was a moderate sixth in handicap company at Perth (2m; soft)

Form: 8-5P356

Enlighten²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| D

8/1

Showed plenty of promise when making all to win a Kelso (2m; good) bumper last season. However, that was followed by a pretty underwhelming hurdles debut at Huntingdon (2m; good to soft). Cannot be written off just yet though.

Form: 36/417-

Fourth Of July^h¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith| OR: 93

66/1

Five-race maiden over hurdles who was pulled-up before two out at Kelso (2m; good to soft) when last seen. Form prior to that effort was nothing to shout about either, so he is difficult to make a case for.

Form: 0396-6P

Last King Of Wales^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

66/1

Minimal improvement, if any, shown from first to second run under rules when eighth on hurdles bow at Kelso (2m; soft) last month. Future probably lies in handicaps, so he is not of interest until then.

Form: P-488

Royal Shaheen³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C Whillans

22/1

Hurdling newcomer who is rated 69 on the flat. Possibly had excuses with the ground when disappointing at Nottingham (1m2f; heavy) most recently. He was in good form prior to that, and is an intriguing recruit to this division. Check market vibes.

Form:

Specialist⁵⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 93

100/1

Lightly raced sort (only had three runs over hurdles) makes comeback from over a year off the track. Showed minor ability in a trio of runs over hurdles last year, but difficult to know what to expect. Market probably the best guide to his chances.

Form: 653/

Strong Steps³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie

80/1

Pulled-up on hurdling debut at Kelso (2m; soft) last month when he was struggling from the get-go. This isn't much easier, and so he has masses to prove. Look elsewhere for more realistic alternatives.

Form: P

The Blame Game²²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart

12/1

Showed a good level of promise in bumpers without winning (0-4), including when fifth in a decent affair at Ayr (2m; soft). Likely to be very competitive if transferring that ability over to hurdles, and he is the dark horse in this contest.

Form: 7252-

Zamarkhan^h¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 94

80/1

Still a maiden over hurdles after 10 attempts, and his encouraging third at Perth (2m; good) in May has since been let down by a trio of dreadful efforts. Difficult to be enthusiastic about him.

Form: 27-3PP6

Maulesden May²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| C

20/1

This represents his first run over hurdles since making his debut over them in January 2017. Has since been plying his trade on the level. Possesses genuine place claims with the weight she receives and jockey's claim taken into account.

Form: 4/

Forecasts

Ashington (4/11), Illustrissime (13/2), Enlighten (8/1), The Blame Game (12/1), Maulesden May (20/1), Royal Shaheen (22/1), Astute Boy (33/1), Last King Of Wales (66/1), Fourth Of July (66/1), Zamarkhan (80/1), Strong Steps (80/1), Specialist (100/1), Abouttimeyoutoldme (100/1)

Despite the fact he has to carry a 7lb penalty for sluicing up at Stratford on his latest outing, this should be a straightforward task for ASHINGTON to follow-up that victory, provided he can cope with the forecast softer ground. The Blame Game makes his hurdles/seasonal debut in this contest, and showed ability in bumpers when last seen, so should have a say in what is a relatively weak contest when Ashington is taken out of the equation. She receives weight from every one of her rivals, and has a minimal level of experience over hurdles after just failing to make the frame on hurdles debut two years ago, so Maulesden May can pick up third-placed prize money.