April 05 / 18.40 Musselburgh

18.40

Soft

Go North Sea Pigeon Hurdle Series Final (A Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 1f 87y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Go North Sea Pigeon Hurdle Series Final (A Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3-6782 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Historically well handicapped and the first-time visor prompted a return to form when second at Ayr (2m, good to soft); whether he'll be as good as again remains to be seen and this is tougher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

14:50 Kelso

Mack The Man

11st 1lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

Veteran who has failed to show his form the last twice; recorded a game win off this mark at Ayr in November but this is a better contest; opposed.

33/1

8

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:17 Musselburgh

Mack The Man

10st 12lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

11yo who was disappointing at Haydock last time but has otherwise thrived since this visor went on last March, winning three times (2m/2m1f, soft-good; including here); fair third at Kelso (2m, soft) two starts ago and he's no forlorn hope each-way at forecast big odds.

33/1

12th

8

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

14:17 Musselburgh

Mack The Man

10st 12lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

11yo who was disappointing at Haydock last time but has otherwise thrived since this visor went on last March, winning three times (2m/2m1f, soft-good; including here); fair third at Kelso (2m, soft) two starts ago and he's no forlorn hope each-way at forecast big odds.

33/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 5-0P05

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Became disappointing for Dan Skelton last year and there are no clear signs that he's about to turn things around.
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

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 245721

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Signs that he might not be straightforward but his breakthrough win had been coming and he travelled best before finishing the job off at Wetherby (2m3f, soft); that should have done his confidence some good; 7lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Beaumesnil

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

towards rear

9/2

Form: 241933 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of this 12 months ago when 10lb lower but he's made further progress this term, including another course win; latest run wasn't his best but his previous third in a strong race here gives him a good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Cuban Cigar

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Soundly beaten on both outings this winter (C&D latest) and his losing run is up to 15 (Flat/hurdles); however, this two-time course winner is now below his last winning mark and is capable of going well if back on song.

14/1

8th

3

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Cuban Cigar

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Soundly beaten on both outings this winter (C&D latest) and his losing run is up to 15 (Flat/hurdles); however, this two-time course winner is now below his last winning mark and is capable of going well if back on song.

14/1

4th

5

1st Jan 2025

Good

1m 7f 124y

Class 3

15:30 Musselburgh

Cuban Cigar

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in last, pushed along after 3 out, never dangerous

10/1

Form: 037122 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in both his handicaps, over 2m1f and 2m3f (soft); doesn't have a lot in hand off his mark by the looks (up 1lb) but he should be competitive once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Final Edgar

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

midfield, mistake 2nd, dropped to last 3 out, no extra before 2 out

6/1

6th

5

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Final Edgar

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

mistake 2nd

6/1

2nd

6

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:38 Catterick

Final Edgar

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Mark Walford

held up in rear, niggled along briefly 3rd, outpaced and cajoled along 4th

14/1

Form: 331311 C

Last run: 124 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Has won three of his last four hurdle starts, the latest a match at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft; winner on soft) in December; goes off an untouched mark here and a good recent run on the AW bodes well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Russian Virtue

11st 6lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Not solid on his Flat form for new yard but looks interesting returned to this sphere, being 6-12 in handicap hurdles (midfield in series final on last attempt) and 2-2 over C&D.

10/1

4th

3

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Russian Virtue

11st 6lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

in touch with leaders, disputing second last, weakened run-in

10/1

9th

4

(6)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Russian Virtue

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

led at slow pace, increased tempo 4f out, headed 2f out, soon lost position, weakened quickly over 1f out

12/1

14/1

Form: -33134 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Consistent 5yo who is fine over 2m and 2m4f; heavy ground perhaps not ideal last time when first tried in a tongue-tie and could run well if back on song, for all that he might now be too high in the weights.
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: 116833

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won twice on heavy ground at Hexham in November (2m) and may need that sort of stamina test these days; got outpaced at Ayr last time when behind Mack The Man.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

12:20 Hexham

Serious Ego

11st 8lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

towards rear, mistake 1st, never on terms

14/1

Form: 242220 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has won a bumper, three hurdles and two chases, all on good or good to soft; fine under softer conditions and was knocking on the door (hurdles/fences) before failing to give his running the last time here (hurdle); should be well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

16:13 Sedgefield

Restandbethankful

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

The last three (one here) of his wins were over fences and the latest at Cartmel in August; latest hurdles win was back in 2021 but he was placed in four of his six hurdle races last year and is one to take seriously if he can bounce back from a heavy defeat on New Year's Day.

11/2

7th

8

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

16:13 Sedgefield

Restandbethankful

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

The last three (one here) of his wins were over fences and the latest at Cartmel in August; latest hurdles win was back in 2021 but he was placed in four of his six hurdle races last year and is one to take seriously if he can bounce back from a heavy defeat on New Year's Day.

11/2

4th

2

1st Jan 2025

Good

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

15:39 Catterick

Restandbethankful

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

wore earplugs, led narrowly early, headed but prominent before 3rd, raced slightly wide back straight, led but pestered after 3 out

4/1

Form: F31241 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Sedgefield this year (novice/handicap; both soft) and he's essentially progressive; up 7lb for last time but that was fairly easy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:55 Newcastle

Coup De Coeur

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Won twice over hurdles at Sedgefield (soft) last season; showed up for a long way when third of four finishers at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) two months ago on first chase start for current yard (0-4 over fences in France); more required but may well progress.

6/1

1st

5

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:55 Newcastle

Coup De Coeur

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Won twice over hurdles at Sedgefield (soft) last season; showed up for a long way when third of four finishers at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) two months ago on first chase start for current yard (0-4 over fences in France); more required but may well progress.

6/1

Form: -242S1 C

Last run: 95 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Consistent 8yo who wasn't overly pressed to win over slightly shorter here when last seen on New Year's Day (soft); 6lb rise sees him on a career-high mark but he's fine when fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Scots Poet

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Below his best on both runs this winter but didn't run badly over C&D last time and he's now 4lb lower than when winning at Perth (soft) last April; has won twice over C&D, including this race two years ago (good to soft), and he could be dangerous to discount.

14/1

10th

9

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Scots Poet

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Below his best on both runs this winter but didn't run badly over C&D last time and he's now 4lb lower than when winning at Perth (soft) last April; has won twice over C&D, including this race two years ago (good to soft), and he could be dangerous to discount.

14/1

3rd

6

1st Jan 2025

Good

1m 7f 124y

Class 3

15:30 Musselburgh

Scots Poet

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

towards rear but in touch with leaders

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: -56880 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won a Class 2 handicap here just over 12 months ago off 7lb higher but this season hasn't really got going and blinkers are now turned to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Collingham

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Lost his way a bit last season but, with headgear discarded, got back on track with two good-ground wins last month, the latter over C&D; goes well for Charlie Maggs and remains well handicapped on older form; respected.

3/1

1st

5

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Collingham

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Last season didn't really go to plan and was tried in different types of headgear; added a fifth hurdles win when back to form under Charlie Maggs at Ludlow (2m; second has won since) this month; back up 3lb but still well treated so has to be respected if in the same form here.

7/2

1st

5

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Collingham

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Last season didn't really go to plan and was tried in different types of headgear; added a fifth hurdles win when back to form under Charlie Maggs at Ludlow (2m; second has won since) this month; back up 3lb but still well treated so has to be respected if in the same form here.

7/2

Form: -553R6 CD

Last run: 160 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
His win in this two years ago was the first leg of a hat-trick; back on a really good mark but plenty of water has since passed under the bridge and he's been off since October when running a quiet race at Kelso.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

The Navigator

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Dianne Sayer

in touch with leaders

12/1

7th

9

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

The Navigator

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Dianne Sayer

in touch with leaders

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £127.40
Straight Forecast £100.60
Tricast £878.16
Trifecta £1366.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Mack The Man

Telegraph:

Coup De Coeur

The Sun:

Scots Poet

Daily Mail:

Final Edgar

The Star:

Beaumesnil

D Express:

Collingham

TOPSPEED:

Restandbethankful

SPOTLIGHT:

Cuban Cigar

POSTDATA:

Serious Ego

Daily Mirror:

Coup De Coeur

Daily Record:

Scots Poet

The Times:

Mack The Man

The Guardian:

Mack The Man