Racecards
12:40 Musselburgh
Tom McConnell Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 135056
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer B Mactaggart
- Jockey A Dempsey
led, hung left on bend approaching 3 out, soon headed, ridden 2 out, weakened last
- Form 52
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
Arijaz
250- Form 6/4-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Mrs L Normile
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never had a chance
- Form 52P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey V T Keane
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out
- Form P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
held up, always behind
- Form 3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Jim Crowley
chased leaders, driven 4 out, outpaced approaching next, soon ridden, hit last, ran on under pressure flat
- Form 3-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
raced keenly and soon in touch, joined leader 5th, led approaching 3 out, driven and hit last, ridden out
- Form P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
raced keenly, held up and always behind
Minster Bay
49- Form 220-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
mid-division, mistake and dropped rear 4th, pulled up before next
- Form 50P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, no danger after
- Form 0-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey N Mulholland
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
hit 1st, tracked leader, every chance when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
- Form 40
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no impression
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, no impression flat
In depth
Verdict
An interesting race to open the card at Musselburgh and a number are worth keeping an eye on for future reference, notably: Beau Artiste, who makes his hurdles debut today, Kingkohler, whose Hexham form is working out well, and Dalblair, who has always looked to be in need of a trip. However, marginal preference is for the New Zealand-bred All Rock Hard, who has taken a little time to acclimatize to Britain. The Richard Guest-trained selection put in his best effort to date over slightly further at Market Rasen last time out and shaped as if he was a winner waiting to happen when he took up the running approaching three flights from the finish. A lack of experience and race-fitness took its toll in the closing stages and his connections will have been left exasperated as he was touched off on the line. The drop in trip looks to be a shrewd move for the time being and All Rock Hard can make the most of a good opportunity to put things right today.