16:05 Musselburgh

Sunday 2 February 2025

All13:2213:5514:2515:0015:3516:0516:34

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 6.57s

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Selected odds by:

Belvedere Blast¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 110

6/1

Took advantage of a falling mark to notch a third course win at Market Rasen (23.1f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Well suited by emphasis on speed there but can't be discounted with 10-lb claimer retaining ride.

Form: P77331

Hostile Hotelier^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 107

6/1

Ran only respectably in a first-time visor when fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle (10/3) at Ffos Las (20f, heavy) 45 days ago, looking short of speed. Return to further should suit but others make greater appeal.

Form: P-33434

Topofthecotswolds⁹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 107

50/1

Very much in the doldrums over fences this autumn for Nigel Twiston-Davies, so can only be watched returning to hurdles for his new yard.

Form: 363-437

Got Your Back^b,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| C

12/1

Scored here in December 2023 and ran creditably from the front in first-time blinkers and tongue strap at Catterick (19.3f, good) 36 days ago, Unproven over this far but holds solid place claims if seeing out the trip.

Form: 44-3463

You Some Girl^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 107| BF| CD

4/1

Completed a hat-trick when scoring easily at this C&D in November and has continued in good heart since, left with too much to do when fourth of 10 in amateur jockeys' handicap at Catterick (25.3f, good) 47 days ago. Respected.

Form: 211124

Prince Of Perth^t1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Conner McCann⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 106| BF| CWS

8/1

Having shaped like a stayer in his qualifying runs, showed improved form upped in trip for handicap debut when successful at this course (19.8f, good to soft) in December. Suffered from breathing problem last and he remains with some potential now tongue tied.

Form: 45/451P

Leading Force^p,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 106| D

18/1

Seemingly needed the run after a wind-op when fourth in a handicap chase here in December but failed to come on for the outing when last of 8 at Newcastle (20.1f, good to soft) 17 days ago. Bit to prove back over hurdles.

Form: 129748

High Dancer⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 105| D

9/1

Point winner ran to a fair level when third at Kelso on his hurdles debut. Failed to progress when fourth at Wetherby (16f, heavy, 7/1) 57 days ago and probably needs to improve over this longer trip to defy a harsh-looking opening mark.

Form: 55-134

See A Stride^t⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 103| D

16/1

Ex-Irish mare got back on track when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle (40/1) at this course (19.8f, good to soft) 65 days ago. Return to this trip should suit and she's not one to rule out.

Form: 037P-44

Thunder N Lightnin^t⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 102

11/2

7-y-o who showed promise in pair of novice hurdles last winter and again showed encouragement after 10 months off when third in 6-runner novice at Kempton (21f) in November. Appeals as the type to make his mark now handicapping in this sphere and good showing anticipated.

Form: 32/62-3

Secret Secret^h,t⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 95

33/1

Resumed winning ways in convincing fashion at Cartmel in July. Well beaten after a 4-month break in a 16-runner handicap hurdle at Hexham (23.3f, soft, 20/1) 53 days ago, so bounce back is required,

Form: 4-54120

Not In Kansas^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 87| CWS

18/1

Recorded back-to-back wins here and at Perth in the spring and produced his best effort of the winter when third over C&D in November. Not in same form at Kelso since and this represents a stiff task.

Form: 71-1937

Beat The Retreat^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Dominic Hislop⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 86

12/1

Proved he retains ability under this 10-lb claimer when third here in November but was never better than mid-field at Ayr last month. Receives plenty of weight here but a clear career-best would likely be needed.

Form: 3P7-P38

Forecasts

You Some Girl (4/1), Thunder N Lightnin (11/2), Hostile Hotelier (6/1), Belvedere Blast (6/1), Prince Of Perth (8/1), High Dancer (9/1), Beat The Retreat (12/1), Got Your Back (12/1), See A Stride (16/1), Not In Kansas (18/1), Leading Force (18/1), Secret Secret (33/1), Topofthecotswolds (50/1)

YOU SOME GIRL is in the midst of a fine season and shaped as if still at the top of her game in a particularly unorthodox contest at Catterick prior to Christmas. She's fancied to score for the fourth time this campaign, though this should prove a competitive event, with See A Stride also shortlisted after an encouraging second run for the Susan Corbett yard. Last time out winner Belvedere Blast remains well treated on the pick of his form and is also shortlisted.