December 18 / 13.25 Musselburgh

13.25

Soft

tote.co.uk Five Gold Rings Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 1m 7f 124y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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tote.co.uk Five Gold Rings Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 252-

Last run: 326 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
0-14 under both codes and was pulled up on the Flat when last seen in March but she was a promising second in a couple of slow-ground juvenile hurdles last winter; still unexposed in this sphere and she needs watching in market on her handicap hurdle debut; blinkers worn last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:25 Sedgefield

Chicago Gal

11st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

midfield on inner

11/1

3

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:25 Sedgefield

Chicago Gal

11st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

midfield on inner

11/1

10th

2

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

15:15 Newcastle

Chicago Gal

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Michael & David Easterby

Off the mark over hurdles in a novice handicap at Market Rasen in May (2m, good); has since won on the Flat (1m2f, good to firm); blinkers on for first time over jumps (has worn them on the Flat but not when winning); each-way chance.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2228/P D

Last run: 60 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won an Ayr novice (2m, good to soft) in November 2021 and was runner-up in handicaps in next three starts but she missed last season and was pulled up at Carlisle on her comeback in October; has some questions to answer and she needs to get back near best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

8th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Cancan

11st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Yet to add to her C&D maiden win in 2021 but was placed on consecutive 1m7f starts at Musselburgh last month and is 1lb lower today; probably won't be far away.

3/1

3rd

2

18th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

16:50 Musselburgh

Cancan

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Just one win from her 16 starts but she's run some good races in defeat here, most recently third to Bashful over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago; could be thereabouts.

6/1

3rd

7

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:35 Musselburgh

Cancan

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Returned in October from a long layoff and has been beaten 7l and about 11l in handicaps over C&D the last twice; needs to find a bit on those efforts and others are less exposed.

12/1

Form: 6U35-6

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Found improvement with her 80-1 third in a maiden here (2m1f, good to soft) in March but she's been well held in both subsequent runs including on her handicap debut at Perth (2m, good) in May; still lightly raced but she needs to find more on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Perth

Donso Star

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Consistent since her sole win (2m5f) and was a close third at Perth (2m4f) most recently; shapes as if she'll be suited by this new trip; solid.

4/1

3rd

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:30 Perth

Donso Star

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Won at Ayr (2m5f, good) last March and went close over this C&D (soft) last April; returned from absence with fair fourth over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago and could build on that run; interesting.

5/1

3rd

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:30 Perth

Donso Star

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Won at Ayr (2m5f, good) last March and went close over this C&D (soft) last April; returned from absence with fair fourth over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago and could build on that run; interesting.

5/1

Form: -27P4P

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden who has struggled on testing ground in both runs (2m4f/2m1f) for her new yard this season; dropped another 3lb but she's now 0-13 and makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:00 Kelso

Milajess

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Gained a breakthrough success at Sedgefield (2m1f) in April and has continued in very good form, third of 12 in 2m Uttoxeter handicap in July; cheekpieces replace blinkers and she's a likely player after a break.

4/1

3rd

6

27th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:07 Uttoxeter

Milajess

11st 2lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Eventually opened account at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April, her 24th hurdling start, and has made the frame on all three subsequent appearances; may find others better handicapped here, though.

12/1

2

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:33 Uttoxeter

Milajess

12st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Beat last weekend's winner Tara Iti at Sedgefield in April (2m1f, good); similar form in finishing second the last twice and although some 13l behind Auntie Maggie in her penultimate race, she has a hefty swing in the weights with that rival; regularly partnered by Joshua Thompson.

4/1

Form: /2565- D

Last run: 379 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner; made a good start for her current yard when going close at Kelso (2m, good) in October but she's not matched that form in three runs since; handles most ground and now drops back into a Class 5 event but she needs to rediscover her spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

13:25 Musselburgh

Evita Du Mesnil

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Katie Scott

Four-time hurdle winner; made a good start for her current yard when going close at Kelso (2m, good) in October but she's not matched that form in three runs since; handles most ground and now drops back into a Class 5 event but she needs to rediscover her spark.

8/1

Form: 44271

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who added to her Irish point win (good to yielding) when landing a Doncaster handicap (2m, good; tongue-tie added) under Abbie McCain last month; that was a comfortable win after wind surgery and she's open to more progress off 4lb higher; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Worcester

Maggie O

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, weakened from 3 out

16/1

7th

3

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:37 Ludlow

Maggie O

11st 6lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

3m point winner but sole hurdles success came over 2m and she has failed to build on it; doesn't shape as if she's crying out for this step back up in distance.

9/1

7th

3

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:37 Ludlow

Maggie O

11st 6lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

3m point winner but sole hurdles success came over 2m and she has failed to build on it; doesn't shape as if she's crying out for this step back up in distance.

9/1

Form: 0UU-P9 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer who won a C&D maiden (good to soft) just over a year ago but she has form figures of 0UU9P9 in handicaps since; mark continues to fall but she's now 1-17 and has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Silver Vision

11st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

prominent, pushed along and pressed leader 2 out, going okay when fell last

5/1

5th

4

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:35 Sedgefield

Silver Vision

11st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader briefly 3rd

9/2

Form: 6-3475

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-10 over hurdles but she was only beaten around 5l by Maggie O at Doncaster (2m, good) on her return last month and would have finished closer if not hampered by a faller at the last; has claims if she can build on that and yard won this in 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

15:55 Sedgefield

Lenebane

10st 8lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in rear

13/2

2nd

11

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

15:55 Sedgefield

Lenebane

10st 8lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in rear

13/2

3rd

12

23rd Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:33 Southwell

Lenebane

10st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in rear

14/1

Form: -5P3P6 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won a Kelso novice (2m, good) in February 2022 but she has a very mixed record since; well handicapped on her old form but she's struggled at Kelso in last two runs and others are more convincing; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

5th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders

16/1

7th

2

(1)

5th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders

16/1

5th

4

(2)

10th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ewan Whillans

raced in last throughout

14/1

Form: 53-766

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Went very close in a juvenile hurdle at Leicester (1m7f) last November but that was on fast ground and she's not come close to that form in seven runs since; mark has tumbled but she's been beaten 22l or more in her last three starts and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Asa

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Close third over hurdles at Wetherby (3m, soft) in January then won over fences at Catterick (3m1f, soft); ran pretty well when 5l third of three in Sedgefield chase (3m2f, good) last time; arrives in good heart and there can be optimism that she'll be fine now back down in trip; possible player.

4/1

3rd

3

19th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Asa

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Close third over hurdles at Wetherby (3m, soft) in January then made it 3-6 over fences when winning at Catterick (3m1f, soft); has won on good ground; it was a weak race last time but she's unexposed over fences and could still have more to offer in this sphere; respected.

9/4

Form: 2-3463

Last run: 111 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who was placed in two bumpers for Fergal O'Brien in the spring; well held in three hurdle runs at around 2m4f during the summer but she now goes handicapping off a lowly mark and is a possible improver on this drop back in trip; needs watching in market on her return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Multiple hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences and has a bit to find with some of these; she also has to rebound from a modest effort at Chepstow and her stamina isn't guaranteed.

33/1

8th

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Five-time hurdle winner who was beaten under 7l at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) before running well on unfavourable terms in a Listed chase at Wincanton; should have a part to play off a realistic mark.

10/1

3rd

6

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Sunday Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Five-time hurdle winner who is 0-4 over fences; ran respectably in a hurdle handicap at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month but this is a tough task on the figures and she fell over fences on her penultimate run; passed over.

16/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Maggie O

WEST COUNTRY:

Sunday Soldier

RP RATINGS:

Lenebane

The Sun:

Chicago Gal

Telegraph:

Cancan

The Guardian:

Bella Bluesky

D Express:

Evita Du Mesnil

The Times:

Maggie O

Daily Mail:

Maggie O

Daily Mirror:

Maggie O

Daily Record:

Maggie O

The Star:

Sunday Soldier

POSTDATA:

Lenebane