15:35 Musselburgh

Monday 21 November 2022

All12:5013:2513:5714:3015:0515:35

Saltire.Scot Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 9.8s

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Selected odds by:

Chanceanotherfive^b¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 100| CD

16/1

Fair winning hurdler/chaser (including over C&D) who has proved to be a disappointment on 2 of his 3 starts since returning from a lengthy absence this term. Refitting of blinkers needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 100/687

Arnica^p³⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 95

15/2

Maiden who ran well when runner-up over 3m at Perth on final start in 2020/21. Not in same form at Kelso late on last year but he returns with his yard in good nick and he's certainly no forlorn hope on return to action.

Form: 22P32/6-

The Blame Game^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 95

16/1

Both hurdle wins gained over 2½m at Sedgefield. Below par at Kelso (22.7f) back in May and fared no better on the back of a breathing operation when pulled up at Bangor (23f) last month. Still, he may well be sharper now and he's on a career-low mark.

Form: 5269-8P

Kiss My Face^v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 92

7/1

Took advantage of much-reduced mark (in first-time visor) when landing extended 21f handicap at Hereford 13 days ago, edging ahead after the last and driven out. Claims provided the headgear has desired effect again.

Form: 7804-51

Rubytwo^b³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 91

12/1

Overall hurdles record is uninspiring, but she did knock on the door on occasions last season and probably best not judged too harshly on her latest run at Carlisle (20f) having raced towards inside throughout. Certainly no forlorn hope.

Form: 3624-67

Faithfulflyer^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 89

8/1

Down the field in 3 maiden hurdles in Ireland and he failed to build on remote promise of his yard debut effort at Perth in July (following a wind op) when well beaten on handicap debut at Ayr (19.5f) 4 weeks ago. Needs to leave that in his wake.

Form: 009-59

Lastofthecosmics^p,t¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 87

12/1

Runner-up for 3 consecutive starts over fences in 2021/22 but found his good run coming to halt earlier this year, midfield in 13-runner Perth handicap chase in May. Absent since.

Form: 2225P-7

Paddy The Panda^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Bourke| OR: 79

12/1

Ran up to best over longest trip he's faced when runner-up at Kelso (25.7f) in May. Shaped as if he'd come forward for last month's return to action at Carlisle but he's not one to be placing maximum faith in to build on that.

Form: 46-4526

Ex S'elance^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: K Brogan| T: V Thompson| OR: 79

33/1

Reached the frame a few times in the spring and bettered a lacklustre return at Ayr in October when fourth at Hexham (23.3f) earlier this month. Not discounted for each-way purposes.

Form: 433-6P4

Bonny Houxty¹⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 77

9/1

Maiden who was well backed but ultimately failed to build on promise of her Hexham run in April, when well held fourth in 7-runner Kelso handicap (25.7f) a month later. Eased further 2 lb ahead of return.

Form: P456-54

My Strong Man²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 76

4/1

Confirmed he retains ability on the back of a 19-month absence when third at Ayr in October but fact he remains a maiden is off-putting.

Form: 0849F/3

That's Your Lottie^h,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁵⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 73

5/1

Creditable efforts in a pair of Kelso handicaps since returning from a break but not at quite the same level when fourth in 15-runner Ayr handicap (19.5f) 4 weeks ago. Needs to step up on that if she's to open her account here.

Form: 547444

Joanna I'm Fine²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 70

16/1

Maiden who ran much better than previously in handicaps when third on return at Ayr (3m) 4 weeks ago, headway home turn and left behind after 2 out. Her task is to build on that now.

Form: 90206-3

Forecasts

My Strong Man (4/1), That's Your Lottie (5/1), Kiss My Face (7/1), Arnica (15/2), Faithfulflyer (8/1), Bonny Houxty (9/1), Lastofthecosmics (12/1), Rubytwo (12/1), Paddy The Panda (12/1), Chanceanotherfive (16/1), Joanna I'm Fine (16/1), The Blame Game (16/1), Ex S'elance (33/1)

A tricky finale and with that in mind it may pay to take a chance on the returning ARNICA. Representing a yard in good nick, he appeals as being on a workable mark on the pick of his form and it would come as no surprise to see him go well. Kiss My Face reacted well to the fitting of a visor when successful at Hereford recently and a repeat gives him sound claims again, The Blame Game and Rubytwo complete the shortlist.