Racecards
13:30 Musselburgh
Willie Pollock Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £7,500 added
- Form 1-271
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, not pace of winner from next
- Form 41-315
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Mrs L B Normile
- Jockey T J Dreaper
led until headed approaching 8th, ridden and soon weakened
- Form 24-34
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
held up, headway from 8th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
Bal Birnie
67- Form 03-20
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
always towards rear
- Form 8-60P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer B Mactaggart
- Jockey A Dobbin
always towards rear, lost touch from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Instigator
28- Form 59-20
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer S Donohoe
- Jockey D C Costello
mid-division until ridden and weakened from 3 out
My Arch
33- Form 6/8923
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey B P Harding
mid-division, ridden from 4 out, kept on one pace
- Form 32-35
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey K Renwick
towards rear, ridden and no impression from 3 out
- Form 165/36-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J McAuley
- Jockey J P Elliott
tracked leaders, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened from next
Tycheros
69- Form 78
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs L B Normile
- Jockey N Mulholland
towards rear, some headway to mid-division and ridden 4 out, soon beaten
Waterski
34- Form 9-R4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey F Davis
mid-division, reminders 7th, soon beaten
Hooky's Hope
35- Form 9-0007P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs H O Graham
- Jockey M H Naughton
always prominent until ridden and weakened from 4 out
Kalatime (IRE)
300- Form 74583-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer W G Young
- Jockey Mr J A Richardson
always towards rear
- Form 432153
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey R McGrath
mid-division, smooth headway to go prominent 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden and kept on
In depth
Verdict
Laborec can defy his penalty with April San and Instigator the most interesting of the opposition. The selection showed ability in bumpers but failed to land a blow when a beaten favourite on his hurdling bow. Better was clearly expected and he put the record straight with a pleasing effort over course and distance. The best should be still to come and he ticks all the right boxes. April San has flattered to deceive so far as he has travelled strongly more than once only to find little when asked. He may yet be able to deliver but is best watched until coming up with the goods. Instigator has been lightly raced since finishing within 5 lengths of Turbo Linn in a bumper on debut but showed that his ability remains intact when a fair second on his hurdling bow in May. He has to put a poor run in a bumper behind him but better's expected this afternoon. My Arch and Bal Birnie are two others that may feature but Laborec can land the opener.
Formwatch
Laborec (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Track leaders, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, driven to lead flat, all out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Guns And Butter (10-9) by 1l, 13 ran.
Silver By Nature 11-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 44l behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
April San 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 11l behind Pennek (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bal Birnie 14-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 14, 43l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Cassius (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Laborec (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Instigator 20-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Prince Geeno (11-9) at Naas 2m nhf sft in Jan.
My Arch 3-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Starting Point (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Prince Car (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Led until ridden and headed 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 14, 13l behind All Noble (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Silver Breese 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 14, 42l behind Striking Article (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Spitfire Sortie (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leader in 2nd, closer order halfway, ridden 5f out, no impression from over 4f out, lost place from over 2f out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Cobham (11-11) at Bellewstown 2m 1f nhf frm in Jul '06.
Tycheros 80-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd and raced keen, weakened 7th, 8th of 10, well behind Viking Rebel (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Waterski 40-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Hooky's Hope 100-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, hampered 6th, hit 6 out, weakening when blundered 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Coe (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Kalatime (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Hampered 1st, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Park Lane Princess (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders until ridden and one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Princess Flame (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.