Racecards
14:20 Musselburgh
'Watch Live On Racing UK' Maiden Hurdle (Div 2) (Class F )
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Best Flight
60- Form 24
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace flat
Buttress
61- Form 320-20
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
behind, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next
- Form 0P0-0P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
chased leaders to 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off from 2 out
Relix (FR)
11- Form 0-50426
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey P McDonald
chased leaders, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs S C Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on chance with winner
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey B P Harding
in touch, chased winner after 4 out until hit 2 out, soon ridden and no extra
- Form 112-P60
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey A Dobbin
behind, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, 7 lengths 5th when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out
Gemini Lady
24- Form F00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs J C McGregor
- Jockey F King
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, 5th and no impression when fell last
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs L B Normile
- Jockey D Flavin
behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened 2 out
- Form U0/0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer W Coltherd
- Jockey R McGrath
behind until kept on from 3 out, never on terms
- Form 5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
led 2nd, ridden after 2 out, 2 clear after last, comfortably
- Form 60
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey G Thomas
chased leaders on outside, lost place after 4 out, weakened next
In depth
Verdict
Admiral may benefit from a drop in trip to account for his rivals including Tizzy May, Sualda and Buttress to name but three. Successful in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot for Sir Michael Stoute, it will be disappointing if Admiral does not pay his way over timber. He made his debut at Doncaster in January when, after leading for most of the way, he tired and finished fifth behind Karelian. That was over two and a half miles though and it may be that Richard Guest slipped up in trying him over that far first time. This track and the drop in trip will suit him much better, and Admiral's class should see him through. None of the newcomers were as good as him on the level including Tizzy May and Sualda. The latter did pick up a few middle-distance handicaps though and is sure to pay his way. Buttress was tailed off at Catterick in December but had earlier shown a bit of promise and does have more experience at this game than most. That still leaves him with plenty to do though, and Admiral is taken to lord it over his rivals today.