November 08 / 16.00 Musselburgh

16.00

Good To Soft

Racing TV For Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 1m 7f 124y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Racing TV For Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2613-2 D BF

Last run: 164 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Close up in a 1m4f handicap at Doncaster on his penultimate run and he's only 1lb higher than when a front-running second on his final hurdle start at Kelso in May; should give it a good go from the front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:57 Carlisle

Matchless

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Three consecutive wins over hurdles in May/June (2m-2m7f, good/good to soft) and he was running okay in that sphere last month; however, he has something to find in today's company and he didn't improve for the switch to fences when soundly beaten in January on his sole previous chase start.

12/1

4th

1

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Matchless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Came up rather short in higher grade last time; solid record (1112) in Class 4 otherwise this term, albeit has shot up the weights as a result; may be in the assessor's grip now.

13/2

3

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Matchless

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

It took a return to selling level to regain the winning thread in May but has since gone 112 in 2m4f/2m7f handicaps; getting high in the weights (nudged up another 1lb) but he's pretty solid.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 134-24 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Solid record last season included a C&D success (good to soft) and ran well for a long way at Kelso a month ago when perhaps needing the run; remains on a competitive mark and the patient tactics he usually employs could come in handy here with a strong pace on the cards.
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

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 1161-0 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Held up off a strong gallop before coming clear at Taunton on his final run of last season (2m, good); the ground was heavy when quiet on reappearance at Chepstow and entitled to come on for that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Colonial Empire

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Close second of 16 at Taunton (3m, good) in December, after a break, and again ran well in defeat at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; more exposed than some of these but still respected.

7/1

Form: 3312-2 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler who was a good second on heavy ground at Perth in September off 3lb lower; entitled to have run better than he did on the Flat subsequently but goes well here and has each-way claims.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 321U7- CD

Last run: 208 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good to soft) in February and it was a strong handicap in which he struggled at Aintree's Grand National meeting; in shallower waters here and he goes well for Charlie Maggs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Collingham

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Eight-time hurdle winner, the last two in claimers in the spring; his three chase starts haven't been devoid of promise but he was only sixth of nine at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time and needs something extra.

33/1

6th

4

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Collingham

11st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Latest two wins were in claiming hurdles for another yard; last of four over fences on yard debut and then fifth of seven over hurdles; opposable.

20/1

5

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Collingham

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Latest two wins were in claiming hurdles for Archie Watson; last of four over fences on recent stable debut but didn't run at all badly; this is a warm handicap, however.

16/1

Form: 35/8-2 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Ran a mighty race on his return from a mammoth absence when going close at Sedgefield (2m4f, good; off 4lb lower); back in trip in a loftier grade now and he'll need to back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

28th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:20 Sedgefield

Theatre Legend

11st 11lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Chris Grant

Ran a mighty race on his return from a mammoth absence when going close over C&D and probably produced a similar performance at Musselburgh last time as that was a Class 3; a 10yo now but has claims.

13/2

6th

5

8th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 3

16:00 Musselburgh

Theatre Legend

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Chris Grant

Ran a mighty race on his return from a mammoth absence when going close at Sedgefield (2m4f, good; off 4lb lower); back in trip in a loftier grade now and he'll need to back that up.

5/1

2nd

2

3rd Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:30 Sedgefield

Theatre Legend

12st 1lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Chris Grant

Two ordinary runs following wind surgery in March 2022; off for 508 days and plenty to prove.

20/1

Form: 14275- D

Last run: 229 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won a juvenile hurdle on soft at Catterick before running respectably in Graded/Listed races; only fifth on his handicap debut here the final time (off 2lb higher) but he's better than he showed that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

sweating, took keen hold, led, headed but prominent before 5th, mistake and lost position 8th, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out

4/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

14:15 Musselburgh

The Churchill Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Front-runner who won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) in October and has run well in second the next twice (2m/1m7f, good to soft/good); he's fine at this trip (and on a variety of ground) and was effective here over hurdles; can make another bold bid.

4/1

2nd

2

8th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:45 Hexham

The Churchill Lad

11st 13lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Winning hurdler who has taken well to fences, beating Caithness by a head over C&D on debut last month before fair second off this 4lb higher mark at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); should go well again.

11/4

Form: 324U-P CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Below best over fences on final two runs last season and didn't offer much on return to hurdling 20 days ago, though the ground was heavy (handles soft); on a dangerous mark but with questions to answer at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:13 Perth

Diamond State

11st 12lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Placed twice here this season (2m4f/3m) and probably won't be far away today but he's nothing like the force of old and has not won since 2022; others have more exciting profiles.

16/1

9th

8

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

19:05 Perth

Diamond State

11st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Last hurdles win was in December 2021; consistent this summer, keeping on into fourth (immediately behind Dalileo) over C&D last month; needs to find extra to resume winning ways; stablemate of Starlyte.

14/1

4th

10

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

16:15 Perth

Diamond State

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

in rear, hit 4th

12/1

Form: 361-64 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Veteran who retains plenty of ability and shaped as though the run would bring him on at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) as he looked full of beans before weakening late on; could easily make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

5th

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:20 Perth

Voix Du Reve

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Iain Jardine

Grade 1 chase winner when trained by Willie Mullins; dual hurdle winner at up to 2m4f since; best on a sound surface; mostly out of sorts in the past year but is slipping to a dangerous mark.

16/1

3rd

5

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Voix Du Reve

11st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Hislop

T: Iain Jardine

Won this last year and now 8lb lower; market check advised but this 12yo has been below par on his last few runs; needs to turn things around.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.90
Straight Forecast £33.44
Tricast £207.16
Trifecta £275.10

Selections

The Guardian:

Cuban Cigar

Telegraph:

Matchless

SPOTLIGHT:

Scots Poet

TOPSPEED:

Collingham

RP RATINGS:

Voix Du Reve

The Sun:

Theatre Legend

The Times:

Scots Poet

THE NORTH:

Collingham

D Express:

Matchless

Daily Record:

Matchless

Daily Mail:

Cuban Cigar

Daily Mirror:

Cuban Cigar

The Star:

Cuban Cigar

POSTDATA:

Voix Du Reve