Racecards
14:20 Musselburgh
Country Refreshments Juvenile Hurdle (For The Tom McConnell Memorial Trophy) (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £3,000 added
- Winner: £1,952
- 2nd: £573
- 3rd: £286
- 4th: £143
- Form 8545
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
always last, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, tailed off
- Form 14
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 108
took keen hold, chased winner until 3 out, weakened before next, went right last
Makbullet
49- Form 23
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer M Smith
- Jockey J P O'farrell
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, ridden and joined last, edged right flat, no extra and headed final 150 yards
Vosges (FR)
11- Form P9-2242
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey D C Costello
led, pushed along and joined 3 out, headed before 2 out, rallied last, stayed on gamely to lead again final 150 yards
In depth
Verdict
Bateau Bleu performed quite well on his hurdling bow at Market Rasen in August and though well beaten on Fibresand at Southwell last month he should improve. Capricornus has been having problems with his jumping but Makbullet has run well here and at Wetherby and looks a threat. DANCE FOR JULIE made an impressive start over timber with an easy victory at Market Rasen in July. She was taking on better company behind Credit Swap at Leicester 10 days ago and ran well until fading in the straight. She can get back to winning ways though Vosges, a recruit from France, looked a certain future winner when just touched off by First Fandango at Ayr and will be a tough opponent.
Formwatch
Capricornus (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, effort next, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 7l behind First Fandango (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd.
Dance For Julie (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same, no impression approaching last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Credit Swap (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Makbullet 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, closed 4th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on front pair when jumped right and not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind The Starboard Bow (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Vosges (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Led or disputed lead until went on approaching 2 out, soon hard pressed, reached last, ridden and edged right flat, headed towards finish, kept on, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind First Fandango (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd.
Bateau Bleu 2-1fav (10-12) Led, jumped slowly 2nd, soon headed, in touch, chased leading pair after 3 out, ridden after next, left 3 lengths down in 2nd last, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Joe Rua (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.