13:55 Musselburgh

Friday 5 January 2024

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

tote.co.uk Your First Place For Racing Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 12.79s

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Selected odds by:

Heartbreak Kid^b¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116| D

14/1

Took advantage of his falling mark over fences at Bangor in May and, after a below-par run the following month (had a wind op subsequently), bounced back to form when runner-up at Sedgefield in November. However, ran out at the fourth back over hurdles there on Boxing Day.

Form: 34-162R

Leading Force²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 110

5/1

Irish point winner who finished runner-up 4 times over hurdles last season. Underperformed on handicap debut at Ayr when last seen but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back on his return to action, especially with his yard amongst the winners.

Form: 522224-

City Derby^p¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 108| D

12/1

Landed a handicap at Wetherby (21.2f) in April and has continued in good heart, considerately handled when runner-up to a less exposed one at Perth (2m4f) in September. Could be thereabouts once more after a break.

Form: 5-22432

Les's Legacy^p1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd| T: S Corbett| OR: 108

28/1

Three-time hurdle winner last season. Hasn't quite matched that form in 2 runs over fences but posted a pair of good runner-up efforts in 2m Hexham handicap hurdles at the start of the summer, so return to the smaller obstacles rates a plus. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 14-2254

Big Bad Bear⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 108| D

8/1

Recorded back-to-back wins in spring 2022. Largely disappointed since, though possibly needed the run when fifth on reappearance at Hexham in October.

Form: 25876-5

Monochromix²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107

13/2

Fair maiden hurdler who ran creditably first 2 starts this season. Found run of good form coming to a halt at Aintree last time but may benefit from a return to around 2½m.

Form: 332-255

Lihyan^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 105| CD

5/2

Bounced back to his best to record a first success for current connections in 9-runner handicap hurdle at this C&D (soft) 18 days ago, driven out. Hit with an 8 lb rise but that shouldn't prevent another good run.

Form: 40-5551

Duyfken²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Signed off last term with a win at Perth and resumed with a good third in 15-runner handicap at Kelso (16.2f, heavy) in October, clear of rest. Shade disappointing at Ayr since but promises to be suited by the step up in trip.

Form: 3421-33

Forecasts

Lihyan (5/2), Duyfken (11/4), Leading Force (5/1), Monochromix (13/2), Big Bad Bear (8/1), City Derby (12/1), Heartbreak Kid (14/1), Les's Legacy (28/1)

DUYFKEN was a shade disappointing at Ayr last time, but he's well worth another chance judged on his promising reappearance third at Kelso, especially now moving up to a trip that is expected to suit. Recent C&D scorer Lihyan is likely to go well again, with Leading Force another to consider for a yard starting to hit form.