Racecards
13:30 Musselburgh
Betway Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 171y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £7,500 added
- Winner: £4,084
- 2nd: £1,882
- 3rd: £940
- 4th: £471
- Form 13-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey Simon Torrens
made all, clear 2 out, stayed on well, unchallenged
- Form 247-432
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer K Dalgleish
- Jockey B S Hughes
chased winner until 5th, not fluent 6th or 8th, struggling in 4th after 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 3/132-52
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer A M Thomson
- Jockey Ryan Mania
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, mistake 8th, pushed along before not fluent 3 out, well held from 2 out, mistake last
- Form 9-34
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey S Mulqueen
held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 4 out, soon well behind
- Form 3100
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey C J Todd
held in last pair, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd after 4 out, no impression, well beaten from 2 out
In depth
Verdict
John McConnell doesn't waste journeys away from his base in County Meath so the presence of winning bumper Drumbear, runner-up in a strong bumper at Ayr in April, suggests he'll be tuned up for his hurdling debut. Garde Des Champs did well between the flags and over hurdles in Ireland before making a bold bid to make all under Brian Hughes over the track and trip and should again take care of fourth-placed Songofthelark. Winning point-to-pointer SALVINO was having only his second start over timber when runner-up over the trip at Ayr. There should be more to come and he gets the nod. Winning bumper Starlyte has been highly-tried and makes her hurdling debut but The Big Jetaway disappointed when well supported at Carlisle.
Formwatch
Drumbear 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led after 3f, headed 10f out, led again 4f out, headed 2f out, lost 2nd towards finish, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Vina Ardanza (10-9) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Garde Des Champs (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Thunder Rock (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Salvino (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 6th, close 2nd 2 out, held final 75 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Bill Baxter (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Songofthelark (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Thunder Rock (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Starlyte (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out and soon beaten, 11th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Malina Jamila (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m lst (1) gd in Dec.
The Big Jetaway (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Led, headed before 2 out, soon pushed along and weakened, 7th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Moonlight Spirit (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.