Racecards
13:28 Musselburgh
bet365 Frodon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 68y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Winner: £10,406
- 2nd: £4,784
- 3rd: £2,392
- 4th: £1,196
- Form 3/131-21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey Ben Harvey
led until 4th, chased winner until jumped slowly 9th, mistake and unseated rider next
- Form 1114/37
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer Nicky Martin
- Jockey Lorcan Williams
raced wide tracking leader until 4th, chased leaders, lost 3rd at 6th, left in 2nd place at 10th, no impression when ridden mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened into 4th just after next
- Form 2341-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer L Morgan
- Jockey B S Hughes
jumped well, tracked leaders in close 3rd on inside, led 4th, made rest, came clear from 3 out, slight stumble last, stayed on strongly
- Form FF7-142
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Bryony Frost
raced wide tracking leaders when fell 3rd
- Form 31-4113
- Age 9
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer I Jardine
- Jockey Craig Nichol
held up in 5th, left in 4th place 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
- Form F4-2314
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P W Wadge
held up last, mistake 4th, left in 4th place at 10th, well held when mistake 3 out, went modest 3rd soon after next
In depth
Verdict
Bear Ghylls was third in a Listed event at Carlisle in October on his chasing bow but didn’t run up to that form on his only subsequent start. Diamond State is held by Notlongtillmay, who seeks a four-timer, on recent course and distance running and, along with Half Shot, is racing from out of the handicap. HALO DES OBEAUX beat a couple of subsequent winners over hurdles on his reappearance. He still has a bit to learn about jumping fences judged on his Newbury second and the drop back in trip is a slight concern but he gets 6lb from Limerick winner Drumbear so gets the nod.
Formwatch
Drumbear 5-1 (11-5) Made all, soon asserted, not fluent at 2nd, reduced lead after 4th, pressed 2 out where pecked, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Limerick Lace (11-5) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bear Ghylls (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Prominent until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden and beaten after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Fern Hill (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Notlongtillmay 7-4fav (11-0) Jumped left at times, made all, clear from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, eased flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Barrichello (11-10) by 16l, 5 ran.
Halo Des Obeaux (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Raced wide, tracked leader until blundered 4th, went 2nd again 7th until 5 out, chased leaders, switched left before 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Tea For Free (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Half Shot (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden before 4 out, dropped to 4th 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Minella Drama (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Diamond State (FR) 17-2 (10-5) In rear on outside, not fluent 10th, ridden and struggling after 10th, 4th of 5, 21 1/4l behind Notlongtillmay (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.