15:48 Musselburgh

Saturday 4 February 2023

All13:2814:0314:3515:1615:4816:20

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 3m 46.0s

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Selected odds by:

Rewired⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112| D

11/4

5-y-o who doubled hurdles tally for this yard at Huntingdon (2m) in November and matched that form without proving a match for the winner when second at Kelso (2m again) in December, Likely to remain competitive.

Form: 213-312

Our Marty²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107| D

11/1

Made winning start over hurdles at Perth (2m) in September but disappointing on both starts since. Early days but he needs to get back on track now handicapping.

Form: 236-187

Cuban Cigar^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105| D

9/2

Consistent sort who ran well again when fourth to Nayati in a C&D Class 2 on New Year's Day (first outing since wind surgery). Dropped 2 lb which looks generous given that the third and fifth in that race have won since. Major player down in grade.

Form: 14-3234

Simple Star^h1¹³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 105| BF

25/1

Fair handicapper on Flat (stays 11f) who was runner-up in maiden/novice hurdles at Perth in the summer. Given a break since a lesser effort on the Flat in September (final start for Iain Jardine). Opening handicap hurdle mark looks workable now setting out for a new stable. Has a hood added.

Form: 22

Zamond^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

14/1

Back to winning ways in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Doncaster (16.5f) in December. Didn't get the chance to show what he could do from his new mark when unseating around halfway at Catterick since. Respected.

Form: 20391U

Blooriedotcom^t²⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102| CD

8/1

Dual C&D winner in early 2020 and another good effort over C&D when third to Smart Lass in this race a year ago. Below his best in 2 chases at Hexham last May and has been absent since then so it might be best to look elsewhere despite his good record here.

Form: 3362-34

Iceman Dennis⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101

12/1

A touch disappointing since his near miss in a bumper on debut and he could only manage a well-held fourth on his Market Rasen handicap bow in December (first outing since wind surgery). Zamond the more obvious of yard's pair.

Form: 9-3U434

Iolani²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 98| CD

33/1

Course winner who was a fair fourth at Sedgefield in September but has disappointed twice since (tailed off when unseating 3 out back at Sedgefield latest).

Form: 0-334PU

Crecerelle¹⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: S Wilson| OR: 95

50/1

Modest maiden hurdler who was well beaten in a Down Royal handicap when last seen in August. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 009P-60

Scots Poet^t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 95| D

17/2

Stratford bumper winner who made if fourth time lucky over hurdles in a Sedgefield novice in May. Hasn't kicked on in handicaps since, but latest C&D third was a bit better and he's been eased another 3 lb since.

Form: 2-14643

Smart Lass^p,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 94| CD

11/2

Dual scorer on the level here in 2021 and off the mark over hurdles when taking this race 12 months ago. Been running respectably back hurdling this winter and likely to be in the shake-up again. Has cheekpieces and a tongue strap combined for the first time.

Form: 331-545

Wilhelm Vonvenster¹¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 88

66/1

Gained his breakthrough win at Sedgefield in November 2021 but has largely found life tough since (including on the Flat when last seen in the autumn). Has dropped below that successful mark but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 184U6-9

Flylikeaneagle^b,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 87| C

12/1

Has notched 4 Flat wins (including here) since coming over from Ireland but he seems to have stamina limitations over hurdles, fading to finish sixth over C&D at the beginning of January. One of 4 runners from his stable.

Form: 476/0-46

Forecasts

Rewired (11/4), Cuban Cigar (9/2), Smart Lass (11/2), Blooriedotcom (8/1), Scots Poet (17/2), Our Marty (11/1), Flylikeaneagle (12/1), Iceman Dennis (12/1), Zamond (14/1), Simple Star (25/1), Iolani (33/1), Crecerelle (50/1), Wilhelm Vonvenster (66/1)

The reliable CUBAN CIGAR has had the form of his fourth in a C&D Class 2 on New Year's Day boosted a couple of times since and can deservedly get his head back in front now taking a drop in grade. Smart Lass won this race last year and could give his owner a 1-2. Zamond and Rewired complete the shortlist.