February 03 / 14.50 Musselburgh

14.50

Good To Soft

bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 1m 7f 124y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV3
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bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1-7P33 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won the juvenile hurdle on this card 12 months ago and later secured a third success of that campaign at Ayr in April; well handicapped with Freddie Gingell taking off 5lb and there were signs of him returning to form when third to Benson over 2m4f here on New Year's Day (soft); this trip on drier ground is probably what he wants.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Afadil

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Without a win since February 2024 but gave good account when sixth (promoted to fifth) at last month's Aintree festival; 2lb lower here and well worth another crack at 2m4f; considered.

14/1

6th

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Afadil

10st 13lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

18 races and over two years since his last win, albeit still frequently competitive; below par over 2m5f at Ascot only 12 days ago but his peak form has come at around 2m (third in this in 2024).

22/1

7th

5

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Afadil

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

17 races and over two years since his last win, albeit still frequently competitive; big majority of his career has been at about 2m (he last went over further in October 2024) and he's never been this far.

9/2

8/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 745-0

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Four Flat wins in France; just minor promise in maiden hurdles last season and didn't offer much on handicap debut at Fairyhouse in December (soft ground was no excuse); his Irish trainer always commands respect on British forays but this 5yo needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zanndabad

8st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: A J Martin

An unlucky, strong-finishing third in this race in 2024 (good to firm; his only run here) and has a 1lb lower mark today; flickers of that ability on occasions since, though had to have his sights lowered for two hurdle wins last autumn; tailed off at 40-1 in a Grade 1 novice hurdle four weeks ago, after a winter break, and could be more interesting this time.

12/1

10th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Zanndabad

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Won four-runner handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last October and followed up in a warm Newcastle novice (2m6f, good to soft), again with plenty in hand; he's useful on the Flat and could have more to offer in this code now things have started to click, but such improvement is necessary.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:41 Sedgefield

Zanndabad

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: A J Martin

No win since 2022 in his French days but some good runs in defeat in big Flat handicaps, including last year's Chester Cup and a 1m4f race at York this August; he's a rather frustrating 0-9 over hurdles, with four seconds including on three of his last four attempts, but this is a drop in class.

15/8

33/1

  • Place: £5.80

Form: 2-2419 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Has lots of form here but it was a narrow success in November and he was never dangerous when behind some of these on New Year's Day.
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: 1P-441 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m4f handicap here on New Year's Day for the second year running (Afadil third); 3lb rise sees him return to a career-high mark but Lewis Dobb's claim takes away 7lb this time and he's just as effective at 2m; hard to leave out of calculations.
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

Form: 10-312 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won a match at Bangor before finishing second of 11 over C&D (soft) on New Year's Day; that's probably as good as he is and Peter Kavanagh has been claiming 3lb this season; can give his running but might be vulnerable when it matters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Ballygeary

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Beaten 6l in his penultimate race but following run was a reminder of his inconsistency; others safer.

20/1

6th

7

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:20 Wetherby

Ballygeary

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Has inconsistent form for current stable but ran encouragingly last time (2m5f) while shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; well treated on historical data, which includes wins off higher marks in 2023 and 2024.

12/1

3rd

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 181y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Ballygeary

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Ex-Donald McCain; creditable third on stable debut in July (2m4f, good) but hasn't been in top form since.

33/1

Form: 213114 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Looked progressive in winning back-to-back handicaps at Ayr (2m) and Haydock (2m3f; again good to soft) before a well-held fourth over C&D on New Year's Day when behind Ballygeary; wasn't helped by an early mistake that day and he did run on well at the finish; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Park Annonciade

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Less contested lead than often the case when making it seventh time lucky over fences at Huntingdon last month (2m, good), and Stratford second off 6lb higher since consolidated that form; up another 1lb here but pace rivalry could prove more the issue.

11/4

2nd

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

16:53 Stratford

Park Annonciade

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Started off for Sarah Humphrey with two disappointing hurdle runs in the autumn but has turned things around over fences since, and kept on well to win by 7l at Huntingdon (2m, good) a fortnight ago; recent 6lb rise demands more from him here, though.

9/4

1st

5

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Park Annonciade

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

All three wins over hurdles when trained in Ireland; running well at present and second of five at Plumpton (2m1f, good to soft) last month; threatening to get his head in front for this yard.

5/1

Form: 24-P22 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Returns to hurdling after two narrow defeats in handicap chases; has won three in this discipline and he's on a competitive mark, albeit 3lb higher than when second to Collingham in this 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Parisencore

11st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Made the most of a reduced mark to snap his losing run over 2m4f at Newcastle (good) and a 4lb rise should be workable if he can repeat that performance; has held his form in the past.

9/2

1st

2

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Parisencore

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

21 months since his last win, an authoritative one in the Perth Silver Cup (2m4f, good to firm; from 5lb higher); beaten 26l, 16l and 14l respectively in three runs since April 2025; good ground is ideal, so probably worth considering with his trainer in such fine form.

11/4

4th

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

13:55 Musselburgh

Parisencore

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

On a competitive mark on best form but lacks recent match practice and needs to prove he retains peak ability; below-par fourth in two starts last year, both in the spring; absent since.

10/1

Form: U7-568 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won for a second time here when taking this 12 months ago, off just 2lb higher but also with Charlie Maggs claiming 10lb; this season has been slow getting going and he could have run better back here last time.
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

OUR TIP

Form: -37561 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner who has gained both hurdle wins on slow ground at Limerick, latterly making pretty much all in a Listed handicap at Christmas; may need soft or heavy ground if he's to defy this high a mark on British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

13:45 Fairyhouse

Your Honor

10st 6lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: J A Nash

Dual hurdles winner with his last win coming in December 2023; reverts to hurdles, having been chasing in recent times with little success; finished a 13.5l fifth at Punchestown in June (2m3f, good to yielding) off 116 when last seen in this sphere; others preferred.

20/1

Form: 4-1136 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Twice made all at Kelso (good/soft) before a front-running third of 17 at Cheltenham (second handicap); didn't jump well enough to remain competitive when last of six at Kempton three weeks ago and he's better than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

14:03 Kelso

Caithness

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

It was only his second run over fences but he jumped well when pulling clear with the favourite at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) and a 6lb rise seems fair; good chance.

13/8

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

14:03 Kelso

Caithness

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

It was only his second run over fences but he jumped well when pulling clear with the favourite at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) and a 6lb rise seems fair; good chance.

13/8

5

27th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 36y

Class 2

14:45 Wetherby

Caithness

10st 13lb

T: Lucinda Russell

Form: 225-0P D

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won a novice hurdle for Dan Skelton before runner-up in two handicaps; signed off for that yard with a poor run and produced another in November on his one run for Ben Haslam; sold for £4,000 since; others have more going for them.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(2)

26th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newbury

Hartur DOudairies

10st 10lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: Brian Ellison

Bumper/hurdles winner at around 2m; first switched to Flat in late July, racing over 1m initially before his staying-on sixth of 14 from the back on Flat handicap debut at York (soft; 33-1) 14 days ago; duly raised his game when stepped up to 2m here yesterday, making most and beating all except the easy winner; big player if he's in the same form today.

5/1

2nd

6

(3)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:41 Newbury

Hartur DOudairies

9st 3lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Bumper/hurdles winner at around 2m; has had only five races on the Flat, with 1m looking inadequate on first four occasions and 1m2f the same with his staying-on sixth of 14 from the back on Flat handicap debut at York (soft; 33-1) 13 days ago; dropped 2lb and it's not hard to think that he will be a lot more potent this time with the much longer trip.

8/1

6th

17

(17)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:05 York

Hartur DOudairies

8st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Bumper/hurdles winner at around 2m; only had four races on the Flat and a 1m has looked inadequate; however, even 1m2f might not be far enough for him.

25/1

Form: 13/

Last run: 1091 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Running well at a useful level on the Flat for Keith Dalgleish when last raced in September 2021; had earlier run twice over hurdles, winning a Carlisle novice before a respectable effort raised in class here; comes with risks after so long out (22-1 when unruly at the post for an intended start at Warwick last month) but he's in good hands and couldn't be ruled out; tries blinkers (has run well in a visor).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

2nd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

16:50 Doncaster

Sextant

11st 13lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Smart on the Flat in his heyday and won a novice hurdle in 2020 but, following a mammoth absence, looked reluctant to race and never really got involved when 50-1 for last month's stable/handicap hurdle debut (first-time blinkers); current ability very hard to gauge.

33/1

12th

7

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Sextant

10st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Running well at a useful level on the Flat for Keith Dalgleish when last raced in September 2021; had earlier run twice over hurdles, winning a Carlisle novice before a respectable effort raised in class here; comes with risks after so long out (22-1 when unruly at the post for an intended start at Warwick last month) but he's in good hands and couldn't be ruled out; tries blinkers (has run well in a visor).

25/1

Form: 2916-2 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Useful dual-purpose performer but he's on a tough mark over hurdles, now 8lb higher than for his last win (last February) after going up 3lb for a narrow defeat at Doncaster; should give his running but others are preferred for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

First Impression

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John & Sean Quinn

Useful dual-purpose performer but he's on a tough mark over hurdles, now 8lb higher than for his last win (last February) after going up 3lb for a narrow defeat at Doncaster; should give his running but others are preferred for win purposes.

8/1

2nd

9

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

First Impression

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: John Quinn

raced in second

16/1

0

2

(5)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

15:55 Pontefract

First Impression

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

In top form at Chester since returning from a three-month break, posting a win (1m2f, soft) then a good second (1m2f, good to soft); also effective elsewhere and he can give another good account.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £61.10
Straight Forecast £43.63
Tricast £1005.41
Trifecta £1619.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Afadil

TOPSPEED:

Ballygeary

THE NORTH:

First Impression

The Guardian:

Caithness

Telegraph:

Your Honor

RP RATINGS:

Benson

WEST COUNTRY:

Afadil

The Times:

Afadil

D Express:

Afadil

The Star:

Afadil

POSTDATA:

Ballygeary

Daily Mirror:

Ballygeary

Daily Record:

Ballygeary

Daily Mail:

First Impression

The Sun:

First Impression