Racecards
13:20 Musselburgh
Gary Wiltshire And Friends On 0906 406 8383 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 03613
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey D N Russell
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, and one pace
- Form P-22424
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
- Form 50-2100
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
mid-division, ridden and headway to lead 3 out, hit next, kept on well flat
- Form 24F144
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Garritty
prominent, ridden after 10th, soon weakened
Thistle Do
29- Form 0-6P50
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey A Dobbin
prominent, ridden and blundered 10th, soon weakened and behind, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 0-35003
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey K Renwick
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 0-340
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs S Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leaders, towards rear halfway, ridden 10th, soon beaten
- Form 420/406
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey P Aspell
mid-division, effort halfway, soon beaten
- Form 0-3462F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer J Billinge
- Jockey M H Naughton
held up, effort halfway, ridden after 10th, no impression
- Form 3P-353F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer D Whillans
- Jockey P Robson
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace
- Form 3140P4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer S Marshall
- Jockey P Whelan
led, ridden after 10th, headed 3 out, weakened flat
- Form 00000P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer Thomas McCourt
- Jockey D O'Meara
prominent, ridden and weakened from 10th
- Form 040500
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Thomas McCourt
- Jockey R J Bennett
towards rear, ridden halfway, chased leaders 10th, gradually weakened from 3 out
- Form 22F062
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
- Form 00P554
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer W Young
- Jockey Ben Orde-powlett
towards rear, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
The topweight Family Venture looks the safest option in this big-field novices' handicap hurdle. Ferdy Murphy's gelding opened his account at only the fourth time of asking when a nine-length winner of a similar contest off a mark of 85 over course and distance last month and, although narrowly beaten off a 10lb higher mark on a return visit to the course on his next start, the saddle slipped then. Another 3lb rise since is far from harsh and, with trip, course and ground conditions again to suit, the son of Montelimar has more solid claims than any of his rivals. The four-year-old Cheyenne Chief is less exposed than most of these and has claims on his best but disappointed behind Mughas (winner since) at Warwick last time. Little Big Horse is a consistent performer and should be thereabouts again if staying this longer trip, while Howard Johnson's Major Drive is better treated now after a couple of below par outings. There is probably little to chose between Micky Hammond's pair Thistle Do and John The Mole, with slight preference for the former under Tony Dobbin. Mary Reveley's Keep Ikis has shown little sign of encouragement from recent outings and is difficult to fancy and a bigger danger to the selection may come from Tullimoss, provided his confidence has not been effected by a fall last time.