January 01 / 15.20 Musselburgh

15.20

Soft

Fitzdares Hair Of The Dog Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 3f 171y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Fitzdares Hair Of The Dog Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 46-222

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
He hasn't returned to his very best since joining this yard but has still run really well, finishing runner-up on all three starts for the stable (2m1f-2m4f, soft/good to soft); every chance he'll be winning soon; the tongue-tie is left off and cheekpieces return (ran okay on sole previous use).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Benson

12st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Last of his six wins over hurdles was off a 25lb higher mark at Musselburgh in January 2024 (2m4f, soft); mainly disappointing since then, including when tried over fences; best watched for now.

14/1

9

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

18:28 Hexham

Benson

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sandy Thomson

One-time very useful handicapper; nothing like as good these days and has finished last on last two starts, latest a four-runner C&D handicap last month; very well handicapped (dropped a further 4lb for his run last time so now 22lb below last winning mark); plenty to prove at present.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 17-421 C

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper here last January and made it 2-2 at Musselburgh when scoring on his handicap debut over 1m7f (soft) in November; today's race is much tougher than last time and he's up 9lb, but he won very easily and his pedigree provides optimism regarding this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:40 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

10st 8lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Just 1-9 over hurdles but bounced back quickly from a disappointing December run when close second in competitive handicap here (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and will pose a threat if able to transfer that form to fences at the first attempt; first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

2nd

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:10 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

11st 1lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Aintree

Holmes St Georges

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: S R B Crawford

Won at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last November when back from a break and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, most recently at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in May; can go well fresh and could be a player.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 124311 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who scored on his handicap debut at Market Rasen on December 1 (2m, good to soft) and followed up at Taunton (2m3f, good) seven days later when unpenalised; hit with a 12lb rise but he was a comfortable winner last time and it remains to be seen where this 5yo's limitations lie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Placed in two of his three starts for new stable; remains on career-high mark but Lewis Stones takes off a useful 3lb and record of 1-1 at Taunton bodes well; in the mix.

8/1

4th

3

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Ilanz

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

held up in rear, raced wide home turn, good headway before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, kept on run-in

8/1

3rd

2

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

14:05 Market Rasen

Ilanz

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

3-10 over hurdles; arguably posted career-best form when second on stable debut at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in May but ran no race when dropped back to 2m at Stratford last month; needs to put that performance behind him.

14/1

Form: 111-26 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Haydock (2m3f, soft) six weeks ago on ground he should have handled but he was highly progressive previously and bumped into an unexposed 4yo when a clear second at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) in October on reappearance; remains lightly raced and no surprise to see a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:20 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Regressive 9yo who ought to have been favoured by the soft ground when never-dangerous fourth (about 19l behind Dusky Days) here (2m6f) last month; on a very good mark now but needs to stage a revival.

14/1

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Took step back in right direction when respectable fifth at Worcester (2m7f, good) this month and has the services of James Bowen again here but this regressive 9yo is patently not the force of old; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 5U1-13

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fifth attempt in Doncaster novice (2m, soft) in February and he followed up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October; soundly beaten third of four at Haydock (2m3f, soft) since but that was a hot little race and it's unlikely we've seen the best of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Ginger Mail

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Exposed 10yo whose powers would appear to be on the wane judged on this season's performances; opposable.

33/1

11th

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Ginger Mail

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

10yo whose mark continues to fall and he took a step back in the right direction when third of seven at Ayr a fortnight ago; it's possible he'll be able to build on that latest run but he was beaten just over 7l and certainly needs a bigger performance this afternoon.

14/1

3rd

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Ginger Mail

11st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Boasts two wins around here, one over this distance, but has been below his best this term and was pulled up at Kelso (2m, heavy) last month in race won by Triple Crown Ted; hard to fancy.

16/1

Form: 051-F5

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won at Fairyhouse in October 2021 on final start for Tom Mullins but he was off for over a year subsequently and has struggled on his first two starts for this yard; needs to get back on track in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

(13)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

15:20 Musselburgh

Excelcius

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

slowly away, switched right soon after start, raced in last soon after start

12/1

7th

1

(10)

4th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Musselburgh

Excelcius

11st 4lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

never better than midfield

12/1

4th

4

(2)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Excelcius

9st 6lb

J: Archie Young

T: Iain Jardine

Flat (2m, good) and dual hurdle (2m/2m1f) winner in Ireland in 2021 but unplaced in all eight starts for Iain Jardine since the autumn; mark continues to fall but he was beaten 7l back on the Flat at Musselburgh last time and others are preferred.

14/1

Form: 23F-2P CD

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Cheltenham in October last time out, when back from a break, but she was hampered at the first flight and may have needed the run; admirably consistent for the majority of her last campaign, including a win in this, and she could play a leading role once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:30 Musselburgh

Aurora Thunder

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, headway and in touch with leaders after 8th

8/1

3rd

10

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

13:50 Ayr

Aurora Thunder

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

9yo whose form has gone the wrong way and she needs to produce more than she's managed the last twice; however, she's dropped to a dangerous mark and has plenty of good form at Ayr; not written off.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 519382 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Up and down in 2022 but has run well on two of his last three starts, most recently runner-up at Doncaster (2m3f, good); won twice over fences here (on soft ground) and he's capable of taking a hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Gaelik Coast

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences but he's seemingly on the decline and ideally needs further these days; the cheekpieces are new.

20/1

5th

2

2nd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Fakenham

Gaelik Coast

11st 6lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

No longer the force of old and may be better suited by longer trips nowadays but he won over fences here in 2020 and didn't run badly when returning here for 2m4f hurdle two months ago; too well handicapped to rule out.

8/1

4th

3

1st Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

15:07 Fakenham

Gaelik Coast

11st 10lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Hurdle and chase successes on ground ranging from good to soft; winner of one course start, over fences in 2020, and well handicapped on much of his form at about 2m4f; some way off his best on last two starts, though, and blinkers worn once last winter weren't much help.

5/1

Form: 740F-4 CD BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 3

15:20 Musselburgh

Navajo Pass

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

4th

5

30th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 4f 8y

Class 2

16:05 Carlisle

Navajo Pass

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent, led after 2nd, joined 5th, headed and not fluent 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out

9/4

Non-runners

Navajo Pass

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.30
Straight Forecast £9.40
Tricast £23.27
Trifecta £26.00

Selections

The Times:

Ilanz

TOPSPEED:

Benson

SPOTLIGHT:

Holmes St Georges

The Star:

Findthetime

The Sun:

Navajo Pass

RP Ratings:

Gaelik Coast

Telegraph:

Ilanz

D Express:

Ilanz

Daily Record:

Ilanz

Daily Mirror:

Holmes St Georges

POSTDATA:

Benson

Daily Mail:

Benson