February 01 / 15.40 Musselburgh

15.40

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
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Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.80
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 6310-0 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.

20/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Red Risk

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful in this race last year (2-3 at Uttoxeter overall) and Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh latest start, both on good to soft ground; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years and can't be dismissed.

11/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.

20/1

12/1

  • Place: £6.60

Form: 40-258

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Fourth in this race last year and also ran creditably on first two starts this season; needs to bounce back from a poor show at Haydock six weeks ago and even then a career best is probably needed to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Idem

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Another in this field who took in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, finishing a good fifth of 24 to Supremely West; should be competitive again but nothing in his record suggests he has enough in hand to win a race as hot as this.

25/1

5th

23

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Idem

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Never-dangerous tenth in this race last year; ran creditably on three of his four starts this season, second in the Musselburgh qualifier last time, but he's an exposed 8yo who needs to show something new.

50/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 6-3PP5 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won well off this mark at Kempton (3m) at Christmas 2024 but that chase career has gone off the rails, which sees him back hurdling today for first time since May 2024; mixed messages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

Form: 7-6454 BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden last January and mostly ran with credit in handicaps but he needs to find extra on this first venture beyond an extended 2m5f; favourite, stuck to his task well (after final-flight mistake) over that trip at Ascot latest on second run since wind surgery; 2lb out of handicap but considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

The Gray Ghost

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Versatile trip-wise as his recent run of solid form has been from 1m7f to 3m; should give his running but does look vulnerable off this high a mark in this strong a race.

10/1

4th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

The Gray Ghost

10st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Has won at about this trip but he was well beaten in this race last year and, despite a 2m1f win at Newcastle last time out, he could have his work cut out at this competitive level.

9/1

1st

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

The Gray Ghost

11st 11lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won his maiden here over 2m4f; a number of good runs in handicaps and 3m looked a stretch in a Class 2 at Musselburgh last time; something to prove over quite this sharp a trip but definite chance if he copes with it.

11/2

Form: -3UFU2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Back hurdling for last two starts, coming a cropper again on first occasion (hampered) but second of 15 from the back in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good; has won on soft/heavy) nine days later; progressive when he does complete and he showed at Aintree last April that he stays 3m; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Double Powerful

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Good second in major handicap at Kempton (2m5f) in January, putting a few non-completions (fences/hurdles) behind him; has performed below market expectations in two starts since but is a likely player provided he bounces back with usual hood removed.

7/1

8th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

Double Powerful

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Six wins in 2024 but out of luck since; only third in this race last year but a sterling effort when runner-up in the Lanzarote over C&D in January off this mark and he'll be better off back at this trip after the race didn't pan out for him at Musselburgh (3m) since; respected.

11/2

5th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Double Powerful

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Back hurdling for last two starts, coming a cropper again on first occasion (hampered) but second of 15 from the back in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good; has won on soft/heavy) nine days later; progressive when he does complete and he showed at Aintree last April that he stays 3m; player.

7/2

Form: 4-2233 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has won only one (October 2024) of his 12 handicaps but twice went close over 2m4f to start this season and has run respectably on both outings since; attempted this sort of trip only once, in his novice days, and it needs to help for him to break the deadlock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree in April 2023; well beaten over hurdles on last two starts (stable debut latest) but he's shown some useful form in that code and is an interesting contender on this Flat debut.

12/1

8th

8

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Florida Dreams

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Ex-Nicky Richards; smart bumper performer; has won two of his 17 races over hurdles, but disappointing on last two starts; makes debut for Sandy Thomson.

12/1

6th

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Florida Dreams

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Has won only one of his 13 handicaps but twice went very close at the start of the season and 3m possibly stretched his stamina at Musselburgh last time; back to a more suitable trip here and unlikely to be far away.

3/1

Form: 24-612 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Relished the step up in trip to make a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (3m, good to soft) in November; good second at Ayr (3m, soft) one month ago but position 3lb out of the handicap demands more from him today; claiming rider is recruited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Highland Fashion

11st 1lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ian Duncan

His first run at about 3m when winning at Newcastle (good to soft) and then ran second at Warwick; latest Musselburgh run wasn't too shoddy given he was held up off the pace before staying on and he reportedly bled that day; had a break since and wouldn't be fully exposed as a stayer.

12/1

7th

13

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Highland Fashion

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

Relished the step up in trip to make a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (3m, good to soft) in November; good second at Ayr (3m, soft) one month ago but position 3lb out of the handicap demands more from him today; claiming rider is recruited.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-1U84

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Rallied well when 125-1 second in a 2m4f handicap chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival; he's since won a beginners chase in Ireland and ran respectably at Cheltenham last time on his second attempt at about 3m; needs to build on that in today's first hurdle race since August 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Anyway

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: David Kenneth Budds

Second in last season's Jack Richards Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft, 125-1); won a Kilbeggan beginners' chase in June, 2.25l in front of You Oughta Know; left two disappointing efforts behind when a creditable fourth of seven at Cheltenham in October (3m1f, good); back chasing after moderate hurdles run last time and Kennedy rides for the first time.

16/1

8th

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Anyway

11st 7lb

J: Carl Millar

T: David Kenneth Budds

Rallied well when 125-1 second in a 2m4f handicap chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival; he's since won a beginners chase in Ireland and ran respectably at Cheltenham last time on his second attempt at about 3m; needs to build on that in today's first hurdle race since August 2024.

12/1

2

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Cheltenham

Anyway

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: David Kenneth Budds

Surprising that he appeared a non-stayer over 3m in last month's Kerry National as he looked all about stamina last season over 2m4f, including when a 125-1 second to Caldwell Potter in a handicap here in March; that's strong form and he's entitled to another chance at this trip.

11/4

Form: 373332 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ridden last eight starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft but runner-up twice on it early in 2024; six-time winner, most recently in May; good placed efforts at about 3m on his last four outings and fully effective at this track, so he again has each-way prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Lihyan

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two wins last season, the first a four-runner Huntingdon handicap in May (3m1f, good), the second a six-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; far from disgraced in a competitive race at Aintree last time and not without a chance despite career-high mark.

13/2

7th

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Lihyan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last ten starts by William Maggs; seventh hurdle win when seeing off five rivals at Newbury (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago but even a 2lb nudge seems likely to stop him in this much more competitive scenario.

25/1

1st

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lihyan

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last nine starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft ground; six-time winner, most recently last May; good placed efforts at about 3m four times in a row in October-December, before he failed to show in a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh (10-1) nearly seven weeks ago; best form this term was over C&D, so he's not entirely ruled out.

11/2

Form: 0P0/03

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Ended 2023-24 season in poor form and had 596 days off before this term; Sandown (2m4f) on latest start was promising, though, as he didn't get the best of runs but kept on well to be a close third of ten; unraced beyond 2m5f but that latest performance makes him interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:15 Hexham

Sonigino

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful hurdler with 6-22 strike-rate; beat sole other finisher by 16l on chasing debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good) four weeks ago; that form is not easy to read but he jumped soundly and should go well again.

13/8

1st

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

15:25 Fakenham

Sonigino

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Very useful hurdler with 6-22 strike-rate; has shown his form on only one of three starts since returning from a long absence this season, when close third at Sandown (2m4f, good) two starts ago, but has obvious claims if on song for this chasing debut.

11/8

10th

6

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Sonigino

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Ended 2023-24 season in poor form and had 596 days off before this term; Sandown (2m4f) on latest start was promising, though, as he didn't get the best of runs but kept on well to be a close third of ten; unraced beyond 2m5f but that latest performance makes him interesting.

9/2

Form: /PP2-2

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Career peak was in October 2023 on first start for Gavin Cromwell and he was well beaten when runner-up over fences last April and June; unraced beyond 2m4f under rules and now wears a hood for the first time; back with John McConnell, with whom he started his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Encanto Bruno

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Career peak was in October 2023 on first start for Gavin Cromwell and he was well beaten when runner-up over fences last April and June; unraced beyond 2m4f under rules and now wears a hood for the first time; back with John McConnell, with whom he started his career.

25/1

Form: PF5-66 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Ahoy Senor

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together.

14/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

10yo who was underwhelming in the main last season and soundly beaten in the Grade 1 Bowl here in April, having finished runner-up in the previous two runnings of that 3m contest; a longer trip than this would probably be preferable but he's 7lb lower than when a close third in this last year and is well worth a second look in view of his record at this track.

13/2

5th

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Comes with some risk having failed to complete in his last three starts (had wind surgery prior to latest); however, comes alive at Aintree and has performed well in this race for the last two years, taking form figures at this meeting to 1122 (gained the wins in Grade 1 novice events over hurdles/fences); big player provided that pattern is sustained.

6/1

Form: -63225

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; won three novice hurdles at Carlisle (2m1f/2m3f, good to soft/good) last spring; placed in three of his five handicaps since but the last two instances were over just 2m1f and 2m, so this new trip asks a big question; he's also 5lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Bel Amigo

10st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Front-runner; won three novice hurdles at Carlisle (2m1f/2m3f, good to soft/good) last spring; placed in three of his five handicaps since but the last two instances were over just 2m1f and 2m, so this new trip asks a big question; he's also 5lb out of the handicap.

16/1

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

13:22 Carlisle

Bel Amigo

11st 13lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won three novice hurdles in a row here (2m1f-2m3f, good to soft/good) in the spring, including under Dominic Hislop, and he returned from a break to finish third in a handicap at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; could build on that latest performance now back here; firmly in calculations.

9/4

3

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Bel Amigo

11st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Showed the benefit of a wind op when winning three consecutive Carlisle novice hurdles (2m1f-2m3f, good/good to soft) towards end of last season; may yet have more improvement to come but managed only sixth of seven when back in a handicap here (2m) in May and has fitness to prove after break.

8/1

Non-runners

I Love My Baie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £280.80
Straight Forecast £252.28
Tricast £6365.76
Trifecta £4941.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Double Powerful

TOPSPEED:

Lihyan

The Times:

Sonigino

THE NORTH:

Florida Dreams

RP RATINGS:

Double Powerful

Telegraph:

Double Powerful

The Guardian:

Double Powerful

The Sun:

Double Powerful

The Star:

Double Powerful

POSTDATA:

Lihyan

Daily Record:

Lihyan

D Express:

Sonigino

Daily Mirror:

Sonigino