February 04 / 15.48 Musselburgh

15.48

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 124y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.90

Form: -14643 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a Sedgefield novice (2m1f, good) last May and achieved his best handicap result when third of six over C&D (soft) in December; now drops into a 0-110 from a 0-120 and he could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Scots Poet

10st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

Gained a first win for two years at Sedgefield (2m1f) in April and backed it up with a good second of nine in 2m Hexham handicap 15 days ago when set a lot to do; this veteran is not taken lightly eased 1lb.

7/2

2nd

5

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Scots Poet

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

Mainly in good form this year, gaining a well-deserved win at Sedgefield last time (2m1f, good; blinkers on for fourth time); up 4lb; could go well again.

3/1

1st

6

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:45 Sedgefield

Scots Poet

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner (good); third on his last three starts, all at around 2m; chance but will need to raise his game to win this.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 13-312 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has run well under Luke Scott the last twice, winning at Huntingdon (2m, good) in November in his second handicap hurdle and runner-up at Kelso in December (2m, soft; albeit no match for the winner); solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

3rd

2

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:58 Kelso

Rewired

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him.

11/8

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4-3234 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Consistent and has posted fair efforts in defeat in handicap hurdles on last four starts (good-soft), most recently fourth over C&D on New Year's Day; now drops back into a Class 4 from a Class 2 and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Cuban Cigar

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Stuck in a bit of a rut right now and he's at his best with some give underfoot; others preferred from 2lb out of the weights.

12/1

5th

2

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:53 Perth

Cuban Cigar

11st 3lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Regressive 7yo who never really got competitive when sixth over C&D (good) last month; far too well handicapped to rule out but needs to stage a revival.

5/1

10

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:47 Perth

Cuban Cigar

11st 2lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Not really firing on all cylinders since the winter but has slipped to a very tempting mark and, with blinkers refitted, was not beaten far when fifth in recent C&D handicap fought out by Just Dottie and Mack The Man.

12/1

Form: 31-545 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Only fifth of 12 over C&D last month and she was reluctant to race over C&D in December; however, she was still a respectable fourth of six on that penultimate start and all six wins have come here (five Flat, one hurdles); not ruled out with tongue-tie/cheekpieces combined for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

16th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

16:40 Musselburgh

Smart Lass

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has won here five times on the Flat (1m4f/1m5f) and once over hurdles (1m7f); patchy form of late and below par here most recently, while she needs to prove her stamina, but she can't be ruled out given her record here.

7/1

5th

5

(3)

17th Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:35 Musselburgh

Smart Lass

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

dwelt start, soon recovered to lead

9/2

6th

5

(7)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

18:12 Ayr

Smart Lass

9st 13lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, led at fast pace, reduced lead 6f out, headed under 3f out

3/1

Form: 20391U

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (2m, good) in December in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) and mid-race faller at Catterick last month; he's just 2lb higher than at Doncaster and holds strong claims provided conditions suit (his wins have come on good ground but he may be okay on good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Zamond

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Absent since December but that was a good run at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) and he has competitive form here on good ground; one to consider.

4/1

3

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:15 Sedgefield

Zamond

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ended a long losing sequence in 2m4f handicap here eight days ago; scored comfortably so he's not taken lightly under a 7lb penalty.

7/4

1st

6

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:37 Sedgefield

Zamond

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Placed on last three of four starts since returning from long absence this summer, most recently when close second at Bangor (2m3f, good) this month; likely contender again.

3/1

Form: 6/0-46

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten back over hurdles the last twice, but his usual blinkers were missing on the first occasion and soft going may not have suited last time; has potential off this lowly mark in view of his Flat form (won four times last year; 1m-1m2f) and he could go well now back on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

16:45 Musselburgh

Flylikeaneagle

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

Won well off a similar mark over C&D (good to soft) last April; inconsistent since but the return to this scenario and drop back to 0-70 level may have positive effect; respected.

16/1

1

(9)

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

16:45 Musselburgh

Flylikeaneagle

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

Won well off a similar mark over C&D (good to soft) last April; inconsistent since but the return to this scenario and drop back to 0-70 level may have positive effect; respected.

16/1

9th

5

(6)

13th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Flylikeaneagle

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Lucinda Russell

Near miss over C&D in December off 1lb higher; well beaten twice since, although he had an excuse last time having gone off too fast in a 1m2f amateur event here 11 days ago; can do better today.

25/1

Form: -3U434

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced bumper runner-up who has shown ability over hurdles, but he was a soundly beaten fourth of seven on handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in December and improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:05 Uttoxeter

Iceman Dennis

11st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent 11-race maiden who was a well-held eighth at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month; drops back in trip/grade but his form has gone the wrong way in handicaps and others are more convincing; cheekpieces back.

25/1

4

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:45 Stratford

Iceman Dennis

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Mid-race faller at Bangor last month; well held there yesterday, taking record to 0-11; ran creditably (80-1) when third in novice contest here in October and has place hopes on that effort.

14/1

8th

10

22nd Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Iceman Dennis

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Unable to land a telling blow in his first two handicaps (2m/1m7f) and was a mid-race faller when last in action; not yet fully exposed but needs today's step up in trip to enable improvement.

20/1

Form: 84U6-9

Last run: 268 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won at Sedgefield in November 2021 and ran okay a couple of times later that season; however, he was tailed off at Perth last May and failed to shine on the Flat on both runs since; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:10 Market Rasen

Wilhelm Vonvenster

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Has finished in the first three just once in a 22-race career, when winning a Sedgefield handicap in November 2021; safely held in two outings last month but stable's recent fine run of form at least a positive.

10/1

10th

8

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle

Wilhelm Vonvenster

10st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

Won at Sedgefield in November 2021 and ran okay a couple of times later that season; however, he's struggled in both codes on his four starts since last May and has plenty to prove.

25/1

8th

12

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

15:48 Musselburgh

Wilhelm Vonvenster

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, awkward jump 1st

25/1

16/1

Form: -334PU CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Course winner who continues to drop down the weights and was a fair fourth at Sedgefield last September; however, pulled up next time and beaten when unseating three out last month; a return to form is needed from this 11yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:00 Kelso

Iolani

10st 8lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Miss A M Slack

prominent behind clear leaders

8/1

4th

10

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Perth

Iolani

10st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Well past his prime now but held on gamely to win selling handicap at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) in May and went down fighting when clear second at Kelso (2m2f, good) a week ago; big player off same mark if in similar mood here.

8/1

2nd

12

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:05 Kelso

Iolani

10st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Prolific winning veteran (two wins on good ground here); latest success was in a Cartmel seller in May (2m1f, soft); not quite as good since (ran too free last time); wouldn't rule out.

9/1

Form: 362-34 CD

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Not quite at his best last May on his first two chase starts and absent since; however, before those he was a close second over hurdles at Perth and he's a two-time C&D winner; respected back over hurdles on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

15:48 Musselburgh

Blooriedotcom

11st 6lb

J: Alexander Thorne

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent on outer

10/1

20/1

Form: 09P-60

Last run: 162 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has travelled from Northern Ireland and is one to watch in the betting, but he failed to threaten on his two outings last year (both in August) and is now 0-24; others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

6th Oct 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 165y

15:00 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

10st 8lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

Modest sort outran his mark in a 2m6f novice here in July but 28-race maiden can't be relied upon to reproduce that here.

20/1

4th

6

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:00 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

11st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

towards rear but in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in, went fourth towards finish

100/1

10th

10

18th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 65y

16:40 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

10st 13lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: S Wilson

Modest maiden nowadays in all codes; pulled up at Down Royal in March; makes no appeal.

25/1

Form: 22 BF

Last run: 175 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Just 1-14 on the Flat but ran well for Iain Jardine when runner-up at Perth last summer on his first two hurdle starts (2m, good); on that evidence his opening mark is fair and this headstrong sort may settle better now in a hood on his stable debut; interesting contender back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Simple Star

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Not seen over hurdles since scoring at Perth (2m) last July but he comes here fit from the Flat and was also a good second on this card 12 months ago; considered.

5/1

6th

8

(7)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Simple Star

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Dianne Sayer

Plentiful form at Musselburgh with three C&D wins, including last August for his only Flat win last year (4lb higher today); never dangerous when 50-1 for reappearance here two weeks ago but showed promise from out the back and could be a lot more potent this time.

14/1

Form: 36-187 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed in bumpers and won on hurdle debut at Perth (2m, good) last September; well beaten under penalties in novice hurdles the next twice but not written off now going handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:14 Kelso

Our Marty

10st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

His profile has been patchy since he won a novice hurdle at Perth (2m, good) in September 2022 and he doesn't look straightforward, dropping away tamely with blinkers added (retained) over 2m5f here three weeks ago; the return to 2m will probably help but he's still hard to be confident about.

20/1

0

4

8th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

led

10/1

6th

3

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

15:30 Kelso

Our Marty

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, slightly hampered 3rd

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.60
Straight Forecast £32.96
Tricast £124.67
Trifecta £227.60

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Cuban Cigar

Telegraph:

Rewired

The Times:

Simple Star

D Express:

Zamond

SPOTLIGHT:

Flylikeaneagle

The Star:

Wilhelm Vonvenster

RP Ratings:

Smart Lass

Daily Mirror:

Simple Star

The Sun:

Rewired

Daily Record:

Rewired

POSTDATA:

Cuban Cigar

The Guardian:

Cuban Cigar

Daily Mail:

Cuban Cigar