February 04 / 16.05 Musselburgh

16.05

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 3f 171y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 121-41

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Two wins (Ludlow) and two seconds as a novice last term; built on that when justifying favouritism at Market Rasen (extended 2m2f, good to soft) on Boxing Day in his second handicap, failing to settle early on but seizing the initiative entering the final turn and in charge from before two out; the extra distance asks a question but he's bred to stay and 5lb rise should be outstripped at some point soon by his potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Welsh Charger

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Beaten only 2l when fifth in this last year and runs off just 1lb higher today (from 8lb out of the handicap); however, he hasn't been at his best this season and would be a surprise winner.

33/1

6th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Welsh Charger

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Yet to run here but has a good record on other sharp, right-handed tracks, including a win in the quite valuable Scottish County at Musselburgh last February; looked to have been primed for another bold bid in this year's renewal of that race (7-2 favourite) only to unseat at the start 12 days ago; has won on soft but yet to encounter heavy.

5/1

4

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Welsh Charger

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Didn't run badly at Cheltenham/Ascot on his two starts towards the end of last year, with mistakes not helping last time; 2-2 here (soft/good to soft) and has to be of interest now back at Musselburgh off a mark just 1lb higher than when winning this last year.

9/2

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -55512 CD BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Capitalised on a reduced mark to win by just over 5l over C&D (good to soft) in December; again came from the rear to challenge strongly under William Maggs over C&D (soft) one month ago but was seen off by Duyfken and is back up another 5lb today; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Lihyan

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two wins last season, the first a four-runner Huntingdon handicap in May (3m1f, good), the second a six-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; far from disgraced in a competitive race at Aintree last time and not without a chance despite career-high mark.

13/2

7th

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Lihyan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last ten starts by William Maggs; seventh hurdle win when seeing off five rivals at Newbury (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago but even a 2lb nudge seems likely to stop him in this much more competitive scenario.

25/1

1st

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lihyan

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last nine starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft ground; six-time winner, most recently last May; good placed efforts at about 3m four times in a row in October-December, before he failed to show in a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh (10-1) nearly seven weeks ago; best form this term was over C&D, so he's not entirely ruled out.

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 21-331 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has improved almost every time over hurdles, last time upped from 2m when making all to see off Lihyan in eight-runner handicap over C&D (soft) one month ago; up another 6lb but it's very hard to rule out further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

7th

6

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Duyfken

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

in touch with leaders

15/2

Form: 6-6638 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Mopped up in mares' handicap hurdles at up to 3m last season, winning five and the last two were in good style over C&D; more disquiet on what she's done this term, having been competitive only once (here on penultimate start) but she can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lone Star

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Capitalised upon some considerable help from the handicapper when winning over C&D (good) just under a year ago and returns here after a decent effort at Kelso this month, but she's nothing like the force of old and has become inconsistent.

9/2

5th

5

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Last win came off a 5lb lower mark at Market Rasen in June last year (2m4f, good); not at her best last time but has a chance on her previous run when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft).

9/1

10th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Scored at Market Rasen (on good ground) last June and she returned from a seven-month absence with a very good third of nine over C&D 11 days ago; this C&D winner can go very well off an unchanged mark.

6/1

Form: 22-307 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Good season last term included two wins (one here) and culminated in his second in a series final at this track (3m, good to soft); however, this season he's followed a respectable reappearance with two backward steps; well treated if surging back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

2nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Faithfulflyer

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, went third before 7th, not fluent 4 out

11/4

Form: 212-47

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on all three British starts, last of seven off this mark on handicap debut at Sandown on latest (2m, heavy; 5-1, weakening when hampered at the final flight); cheekpieces join the tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

15:05 Plumpton

Impact Du Bonheur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

midfield, not fluent 5th, niggled along briefly 8th, outpaced and dropped to rear 9th

11/2

6th

13

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Impact Du Bonheur

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on all three British starts, last of seven off this mark on handicap debut at Sandown on latest (2m, heavy; 5-1, weakening when hampered at the final flight); cheekpieces join the tongue-tie.

11/2

7th

7

8th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:35 Sandown

Impact Du Bonheur

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on both British starts but they were still fair runs relative to today's modest opening mark, and he shaped over C&D last time as though he would improve for the run; possible improver for leading yard and firmly in calculations.

5/1

Form: 52/3-P

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
2021 Irish point winner but he's had just four races under rules, pulled up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft; 33-1) in December on latest; that was after a 435-day layoff and he had wind surgery soon afterwards; also now tongue tied but he needs to build on his 2022 novice placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Whelans Bridge

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

2021 Irish point winner but he's had just four races under rules, pulled up on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft; 33-1) in December on latest; that was after a 435-day layoff and he had wind surgery soon afterwards; also now tongue tied but he needs to build on his 2022 novice placings.

33/1

0

11

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

13:50 Ayr

Whelans Bridge

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rose Dobbin

3m point winner who showed ability in his three novice hurdles last year; this is his first run since but trainer can ready one after an absence and Brian Hughes is booked on handicap debut; interesting.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-649P D

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
12yo who is 5lb lower than when winning at Ayr (2m4f, good) last April; had excuses here (bad mistake) and at Aintree (heavy going) on latest two outings, so he needs a second look.
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

Form: 24U-P8 CD

Last run: 88 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Below best on final two runs in last season's chase campaign and, after wind surgery, didn't offer much on return to hurdling for two starts this autumn; all his three wins have been at this track but he now has questions to answer.
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: 26355P

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-Gordon Elliott; first two runs for new yard were his best form but he's made two major backward steps since; back hurdling today, for the first time since last March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Cardamon Hill

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Miss A M Slack

Three listless performances since returning from 13 months out; 12lb below his last winning mark now, but no good thing to capitalise.

100/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Cardamon Hill

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Won twice in November 2024 (2m7f/3m, good/good to soft) but mainly disappointing since including on both runs since a 404-day break; plenty to prove at present.

20/1

5th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Cardamon Hill

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Miss A M Slack

Stays 3m and acts on the forecast sound surface; 50-1, always behind and pulled up on his return from 13 months off the track at Wetherby on latest start; bit to prove.

9/1

Form: -22544

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Didn't look a natural towards the end of last year on first two chase starts and he was well beaten in first-time cheekpieces (kept today) behind Duyfken and Lihyan over C&D when back over hurdles one month ago; most hurdles form last year, on the other hand, would give him a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Less Legacy

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Won four-runner handicap at Hexham last June (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); disappointing since; needs first-time blinkers to bring about significant improvement.

12/1

10th

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Less Legacy

11st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Captured this prize last year (fourth win at the track) and caught the eye when eighth of 12 in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield 34 days ago, racing wide and set a lot to do; he's a player off a 2lb lower mark now.

8/1

8th

6

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

Less Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Four of his five wins have been at Hexham; hasn't been at his best on last three starts; others stronger.

50/1

12/1

Form: -43522

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
1-7 in points; 0-6 over hurdles, taking second in handicaps at Carlisle (2m3f) and Ayr (2m2f; ridden by 10lb claimer Ben Smith) on last two occasions but he needs to find a bit extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Dance Thief

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: R Mike Smith

Won a five-runner handicap chase at Ayr in March (2m, soft) but well beaten both starts since (latest over hurdles); conditions suit; a possible.

14/1

10th

13

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Dance Thief

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have been here, a hurdle and two chases; over fences for his last three races and has been good and bad; others preferred.

33/1

9th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Dance Thief

11st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Pulled up on his return to fences but then beat three other finishers at Ayr (2m, soft) with Ben Smith claiming his 7lb; only 3lb higher but this is a deeper race.

8/1

Non-runners

Garde Des Champs, Sleeping Satellite

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.60
Straight Forecast £18.19
Tricast £83.67
Trifecta £78.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Duyfken

SPOTLIGHT:

Welsh Charger

POSTDATA:

Lihyan

Daily Mirror:

Dance Thief

The Times:

Sleeping Satellite

TOPSPEED:

Lone Star

The Sun:

Duyfken

Daily Record:

Duyfken

Telegraph:

Welsh Charger

D Express:

Welsh Charger

The Star:

Lihyan