Racecards
15:00 Musselburgh
totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 180y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,198
- 2nd: £1,526
- 3rd: £763
- 4th: £382
- Form 12/21-7P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey A Nicol
led, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 521-243
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Brian Harding
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
- Form P73-141
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Kenneth Slack
- Jockey Henry Brooke
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on
- Form 616422
- Age 11
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Rocklim (FR)
35- Form 948-563
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well
- Form 436153
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Danny Cook
in rear, headway after 4 out, every chance 2 out, no extra from last
- Form 254706
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Miss L Harrison
- Jockey Callum Bewley
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
- Form 25-6578
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Nathan Moscrop
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before last
Ethan (IRE)
35- Form 05-6709
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Mrs S Walton
- Jockey Miss C Walton
held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, weakened before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
There should be more to come from What Happens Now but he doesn't appeal as being overly well treated. Almost Gemini is a strong candidate as he's progressing well for the Slack team and is 2-3 this term, although now a stone higher than when landing the first of those two victories. BESCOT SPRINGS has no secrets from the handicapper but is in good heart, having gone very well the last twice on heavy ground. He's equally proficient under these conditions though as shown by a seventh career success at Hexham last autumn. He seems sure to go well once again. Keep an eye in the market on Brian Ellison's Down Time, an Irish import proven on good ground across the Irish Sea.
Formwatch
Bop Along (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, detatched approaching 6th, behind when pulled up after 3 out, at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
What Happens Now (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, close up 5th, led when mistake 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden, no impression with winner when lost 2nd before last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Barney Dwan (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, outpaced before 3 out, headway before next, led last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Snowed In (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Led, hard pressed 3 out, headed before next, rallied approaching last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Another Mattie (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Rocklim (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, struggling 4 out, some headway under pressure after 2 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd after last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 27l behind Lac Leman (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Down Time (USA) 7-1 (11-11) In touch on outside, reminder after 7th, lost place and behind 3 out (usual 4 out), stayed on into modest 3rd after last (usual 2 out), no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 15l behind My Friend George (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Solway Prince 8-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 6th of 13, 27l behind Almost Gemini (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Almost Gemini (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ethan (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Keen early, held up, always behind, 9th of 14, 23l behind Simarthur (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.