February 04 / 15.00 Musselburgh

15.00

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
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Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.90
  • Place: £4.30

Form: -34P91 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last March and back to form with another successful front-running performance at Newcastle four weeks ago; 6lb higher today, including 2lb out of the handicap, but needs some respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season and dropped out very quickly after running well for a long way over C&D (good to soft; first-time visor) last month; positives can still be drawn from that recent effort but others in this field look much less risky; cheekpieces back on today.

12/1

2

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season; didn't run badly when fifth of six at Doncaster (3m, good) in March and will be suited by the forecast rain here but still needs a boost from today's change of headgear.

10/1

2

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Curley Finger

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to win during light campaign last season; didn't run badly when fifth of six at Doncaster (3m, good) in March and will be suited by the forecast rain here but still needs a boost from today's change of headgear.

10/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 116-14

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Three novice wins last term; tends to race a bit freely but he found plenty for pressure, as well as travelling up smoothly to lead two out, when winning his handicap/seasonal debut at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in November; tongue tied first time when not quite so good over 3m (bred to stay well) on heavy ground there on New Year's Day but could still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

16/1

  • Place: £7.70

Form: 4140-4 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Did well last term until tailed off in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March; chase debut in December wasn't a disgrace but he now needs to resume last winter's improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Warwick

Hector Javilex

11st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made a good start to handicap career when winning at Cheltenham (3m, soft) in January 2023 but rather patchy since, including when finishing a well-beaten fourth of five on chase debut at Newbury in December; probably best watched on his reappearance over a trip short of his best.

7/1

6th

7

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Hector Javilex

11st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

6th

7

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Hector Javilex

11st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 32-640

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
10-47 overall (5-31 over hurdles) with biggest win in the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle (a handicap) at Ayr in April 2022; ran well in defeat last February-April but well beaten in her three starts since and she has never raced beyond an extended 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Anna Bunina

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: John C McConnell

Usually claimer ridden but now has Harry Cobden; the last of her ten wins was in August 2022; still shows plenty on occasions, including when seventh in the Pertemps Final last March and a close second back at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) three starts back; pulled up with cheekpieces enlisted on latest start; that headgear is now discarded but she's not the percentage call.

33/1

2

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

Anna Bunina

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

Usually claimer ridden; the last of her ten wins was in August 2022; still shows plenty on occasions, including when seventh in the Pertemps Final last March and a close second back at Cheltenham (2m4f) on penultimate outing; she performed far worse in the Musselburgh qualifier three weeks ago than she did last year, however, which sees cheekpieces enlisted.

20/1

8th

2

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Anna Bunina

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

The last of her ten wins was in August 2022 but she still shows plenty on occasions, including when a strong-finishing fourth in this race last year and a close second at Cheltenham (2m4f) on latest outing; usually claimer ridden; place contender.

10/1

Form: 303-21

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo; just two runs for this yard, when second on handicap debut at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) and hammering his seven rivals when upped to 3m at Kelso (soft); 7lb rise may underestimate what he did last time and he is open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 17-185

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery after final start last term; won at Hexham (2m4f, soft) on reappearance but two heavy defeats have followed; lightly raced and goes beyond 2m4f for the first time under rules, but much may also depend on the first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Dare To Shout

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Ann Hamilton

Pulled up over fences at Kelso when last seen out having won a Carlisle handicap chase (3m, good) in October; runs over hurdles for the first time for more than two years (C&D winner in October 2023); second run after wind op.

7/1

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Dare To Shout

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Not really firing on all cylinders since scrambling home by a neck on seasonal debut at Carlisle (3m, good) in October but now 6lb below that mark, and didn't run badly when last of five finishers here (3m2f, good to soft) in March; had another wind op (his third) soon after that latest outing; one to consider.

11/2

5th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Dare To Shout

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Last win was off a higher mark and he'll appreciate returning to further after chasing home a good thing over 2m4f at Ayr (soft; fine on good ground); that was a welcome return to form; definite chance if he can back it up.

6/1

Form: 2660-0

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Does not look straightforward but he delivered some solid runs as a Flat stayer last summer, including a last-gasp win, and is unexposed with stamina tests over hurdles; has second run for his highly respected new stable, with usual cheekpieces restored and a tongue-tie added; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

Form: /16P-1

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won first time out last term but two disappointments followed; back with a bang after 11 months off when winning by a whisker at Doncaster two months ago, which sees him back up 1lb today; not dismissed but two withdrawals (ground) from 3m races last term mean he goes into unknown territory today beyond an extended 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Uttoxeter

Peking Rose

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three-time hurdle winner; last of five over C&D (good to soft) on last month's chasing debut but faced a fairly tough assignment that day and wasn't beaten far; entitled to have learned from that experience and is well handicapped now; one to consider.

10/1

5th

4

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Peking Rose

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three-time hurdle winner; posted some very respectable efforts in that sphere this spring (2m4f-2m7f) and makes chasing debut from a good mark but takes on three bang-in-form rivals who are already proven over fences.

8/1

4th

5

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Worcester

Peking Rose

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Arguably ran better than eventual 14l defeat suggests when weakening fourth at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) last month and is now 5lb lower than when winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in December; can play a major role if first-time cheekpieces have positive effect.

13/2

Form: 09-P24

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied for new yard this term and back-to-form second at Ayr (3m) on second occasion, when he seemed in charge at the final flight; raced a bit freely up front in first-time cheekpieces (dispensed with today) at Cheltenham two weeks later but not disgraced; peak efforts on good or good to soft; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Clare Ellam

3-24 over hurdles and 1-8 as a chaser; left Gavin Cromwell after finishing tailed off in a claiming hurdle in early March (tried blinkers); needs a revival and he's got a lot of weight.

33/1

5th

1

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

15:52 Naas

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Three-time hurdles winner; last win in that sphere came in a C&D handicap in February 2024 (2m7f, soft); won a Fairyhouse novice chase in January last year (2m6f, soft); poor over fences this term but some okay efforts over timber; beaten 20l in fourth at Fairyhouse last time (3m, yielding); blinkers replace the cheekpieces and decent chance at this level.

9/2

Form: 14-119

Last run: 100 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won handicaps at Down Royal (2m4f, good; comfortably) and Galway (2m6f, good to yielding; dead-heated) last summer; last seen, however, with a lesser show at Cheltenham (2m4f) in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:53 Down Royal

Building Bridges

11st 10lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gary McGill

The last of his six hurdle wins came at Perth in September 2024; a solid effort at Aintree in April over this trip but not as good over 2m at Bellewstown; tough task on these terms.

18/1

11th

1

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

Building Bridges

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Gary McGill

Course winner on the Flat; six wins over hurdles, best form over longer distances; faces a tough task under a big weight.

20/1

18

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Building Bridges

11st 1lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Gary McGill

Ran okay to be beaten about 10l at Aintree (behind Park Of Kings) and that was after a lengthy break; however, he's an exposed dual-purpose performer and others are more intriguing.

50/1

Form: P437-3

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Rather disappointing last term, which was followed by wind surgery and he also wore a tongue-tie first time when below form five weeks ago on reappearance; more questions to answer going beyond an extended 2m4f for the first time but he has edged down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Silent Revolution

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Barry John Murphy

His good days are long gone and he has been regressing for a while; made no impact on stable debut.

12/1

7th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 16y

Class 5

14:18 Chepstow

Silent Revolution

11st 8lb

J: Dylan O’Connor

T: Barry John Murphy

Useful in his prime; badly out of sorts for Alison Thorpe last year (five runs) but makes stable debut from a very dangerous mark and with the trip/ground suitable; well worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

12/1

5

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Silent Revolution

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Alison Thorpe

Useful for Paul Nicholls a few years ago but well beaten on all four starts for Alison Thorpe this year; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers here; urgently needs to prove some ability remains.

20/1

Form: 10-6F2 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Has a good record at this track, including with second and fourth in the last two renewals of this race; second of four at Ayr on latest start got him back near last season's best form but he is exposed and may well be vulnerable again for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Wakool

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Second in this race in 2022, fourth in 2023 and 12th in 2024; no win since February 2023 and generally little impact since; tried a tongue-tie latest start and now reverts to his usual cheekpieces.

33/1

10th

9

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Wakool

11st 2lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

ran in snatches, always behind

33/1

10th

1

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Wakool

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

He may have needed last month's comeback run here (soundly beaten) and he continues to drop down the weights, but for good reason; last season was disappointing in the main; needs to turn things around; a tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

Form: 132P-1

Last run: 89 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Staying-on second in a Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown (2m6f, yielding) on this day last year, before running a shocker in Aintree Grade 1 (3m, soft) in April; won a three-runner race at 1-12 on reappearance in November and withdrawn twice since on heavy ground; surely still brings potential at this sort of trip and is very much one to note on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:00 Musselburgh

Absolute Notions

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gordon Elliott

Staying-on second in a Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown (2m6f, yielding) on this day last year, before running a shocker in Aintree Grade 1 (3m, soft) in April; won a three-runner race at 1-12 on reappearance in November and withdrawn twice since on heavy ground; surely still brings potential at this sort of trip and is very much one to note on handicap debut.

4/1

Form: F5F-57 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Dual 3m winner in May 2022; lost his form chasing that summer and, after 13 months off, he's been well held in two 2m4f handicap hurdles this autumn, but he's back up in trip today and needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 65y

19:43 Ballinrobe

Chinx Of Light

11st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

9yo was once rated 132 over hurdles but has been sparingly raced in recent years and out of sorts in early summer; four previous chase outings came back in 2022, faller twice; hard to be confident in.

6/1

Non-runners

Carnfunnock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £99.50
Straight Forecast £77.52
Tricast £1834.50
Trifecta £2128.10

Selections

Telegraph:

Absolute Notions

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Almuhit

POSTDATA:

Imaginary Dragon

RP RATINGS:

Carnfunnock

The Times:

Hector Javilex

TOPSPEED:

Silent Revolution

Daily Mirror:

Absolute Notions

The Sun:

Absolute Notions

The Star:

Absolute Notions

Daily Record:

Absolute Notions

D Express:

Springwell Bay