December 18 / 14.25 Musselburgh

14.25

Soft

tote.co.uk Three French Hens Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 3f 171y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
tote.co.uk Three French Hens Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 40-555

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
His sole win was in a maiden hurdle last summer but he's dropped a long way down the weights and has finished a respectable fifth at Ayr (2m, good to soft) and Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) in his two runs this autumn; looks worth another try at this trip and he's in the mix on this drop in grade.
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

9/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 7-7547

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
On dangerous mark but she's still a maiden after 15 starts and has an uninspiring record of 4937677547 in handicaps; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

towards rear

9/1

0

11

5th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

14:30 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: R Mike Smith

She's a 16-race maiden but she ran well when second here (2m4f, good to soft) last month off a career-low mark (behind comfortable winner Lihyan who is due to run in the 1:55); back up 1lb today; might not be far away.

9/1

2nd

4

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:25 Musselburgh

Dot Cotton

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

On dangerous mark but she's still a maiden after 15 starts and has an uninspiring record of 4937677547 in handicaps; others preferred.

9/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -F9745

Last run: 89 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a bumper on his debut but he's not achieved much in his five hurdle runs (2m-2m4f) since May; got closer to the target at Kelso (2m2f, good) in September but was still only fifth of eight in that race and he needs to find more after another break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

13:42 Cartmel

Foxwood

10st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: George Bewley

0-12 over hurdles; ran well when fourth at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) last month but was not seen to same effect over 2m7f there a fortnight later; drops back in trip and swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

14/1

6

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:18 Hexham

Foxwood

10st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: George Bewley

Remains winless but cheekpieces back on when a good fourth of 15 in 2m4f handicap here 15 days ago; shortlisted with the headgear again sported.

11/1

16

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

Foxwood

10st 5lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: George Bewley

Placed off 1lb higher here (2m, good) last June and might have needed last month's reappearance run (tailed off before last-flight fall) but he's 0-10 over hurdles now and and others appeal more; cheekpieces refitted.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23P426

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has overall record of 1-13 but his win came in this sphere and he's well treated on his best jumps form; returns after another short break but he was runner-up over fences (2m5f) on his penultimate run and is still unexposed at this sort of trip; dangerous.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

15:18 Market Rasen

Copper Fox

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in June 2022 (2m, good); some fair efforts over fences and hurdles without winning since, last time finishing creditable fifth in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, good; cheekpieces tried); headgear retained; worth considering.

13/2

5th

4

10th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

20:05 Sedgefield

Copper Fox

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Did not progress after winning maiden hurdle in June 2022 but gave pretty good account when close fourth of 11 at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago; drops back in trip with tongue-tie and cheekpieces both refitted; one to consider.

4/1

5th

4

10th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

20:05 Sedgefield

Copper Fox

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Did not progress after winning maiden hurdle in June 2022 but gave pretty good account when close fourth of 11 at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago; drops back in trip with tongue-tie and cheekpieces both refitted; one to consider.

4/1

Form: 8723-6 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Flat (soft) and dual hurdles winner (good), at up to 2m7f; on long losing run but she ran well for a long way over 3m here (soft) last month and was only beaten 8l in that race; could go well on this drop back in trip and she's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Misscarlett

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

prominent, jockey looked down to see if something was amiss before 4th, soon pulled up quickly

14/1

7th

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:58 Hexham

Misscarlett

10st 7lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

No win since November 2021 (2m7f, Market Rasen) and well beaten on her last start over hurdles at Musselburgh late last year; sole run this year came on AW at Newcastle (2m; sixth of eight, beaten 22l at 125-1); anything but convincing despite this lowly mark.

14/1

Form: 37P238 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Only 2lb higher than for his Bangor win (2m3f, good) in May but he has a mixed record since and was tailed off back on soft ground at Sedgefield last month; hurdle record now stands at 1-29 and he comes with risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Carlisle

Balranald

10st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Alison Hamilton

Won twice last season but has a modest overall strike-rate and has been below par of late; 3lb out of the weights.

25/1

8th

10

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:08 Newcastle

Balranald

10st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

Two wins last October, the second off this mark in this race (good); creditable second after a break at Sedgefield last time (2m4f, good); could well win this for the second year in a row.

7/1

8th

10

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:08 Newcastle

Balranald

10st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

Two wins last October, the second off this mark in this race (good); creditable second after a break at Sedgefield last time (2m4f, good); could well win this for the second year in a row.

7/1

Form: /4997-

Last run: 325 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Beaten 32l or more at big prices in three hurdle runs (2m-2m3f) for Fergal O'Brien last winter; still unexposed but he returns from almost a year off and needs to show a lot more on his handicap/stable debut; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

18:10 Uttoxeter

We Gotta Getaway

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Off the mark over hurdles at fifth attempt, rallying gamely to regain lead on run-in at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) last week; has plenty of scope for further progress but the forecast rain is a worry here.

9/2

1st

7

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

15:18 Market Rasen

We Gotta Getaway

10st 10lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Fourth in a bumper in October 2022 (2m1f, good); not shown a great deal over hurdles and well beaten after a break at Musselburgh when last seen out in December (tongue-tie on for first time); probably best watched on return from another break.

16/1

Form: 911766

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
All four wins have been on good ground including two at at Kelso (2m5f/2m2f) in September; his last success was off 1lb higher but he's been well held back on slow ground in his last three runs and conditions could be an issue again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: William Young Jnr

Hasn't the best of win records (4-43 over hurdles), last win coming over 2m2f here in September 2023; good fourth over 2m5f here last month, but tailed off last time; 10lb out of the handicap.

33/1

12th

16

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: William Young Jnr

Returned to form with 2l fourth of 11 behind Looking Splendid at Kelso (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; however, it's over two years since this 10yo last won and he's even further out of the handicap this afternoon.

20/1

10th

11

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

Won twice here (including over C&D) in 2023 but this year's pointing form is uninspiring and he has struggled back over fences and hurdles in last three starts; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove.

40/1

Form: 6P5-BP

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden who has not progressed and was pulled up at Kelso (2m5f, soft) last month on her first run after wind surgery; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:25 Musselburgh

Melchoir

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Nine-race maiden who has not progressed and was pulled up at Kelso (2m5f, soft) last month on her first run after wind surgery; others are more convincing.

16/1

0

9

29th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

13:35 Kelso

Melchoir

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Yet to win but not fully exposed and has shown ability; last seen when brought down in May and has since had a wind op, but she needs to improve if she's to land this.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.90
Straight Forecast £28.40
Tricast £127.18
Trifecta £155.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lihyan

WEST COUNTRY:

We Gotta Getaway

Telegraph:

Copper Fox

POSTDATA:

Misscarlett

The Times:

Foxwood

The Star:

Melchoir

Daily Mail:

Balranald

Daily Mirror:

Copper Fox

RP RATINGS:

Lihyan

The Guardian:

Lihyan

D Express:

We Gotta Getaway

Daily Record:

We Gotta Getaway

The Sun:

Misscarlett