December 09 / 12.45 Musselburgh

12.45

Good To Soft

Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.60
  • Place: £4.20

Form: P67-42

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
He doesn't appear to be the force of old but has dropped down the weights and was a fair second at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago; effective over staying trips in the past, and on soft/good to soft ground, and he could be thereabouts off the same mark as last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

2m 0f 32y

Class 5

17:05 Beverley

Punxsutawney Phil

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

A six-time winner but a 9yo now and has been absent since finishing second over hurdles in March 2025; probably best watched.

10/1

2nd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:25 Musselburgh

Punxsutawney Phil

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over C&D in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) in February, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between and again on latest start but he was brought out quickly under a penalty in the latter; visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.

14/1

3

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won at Musselburgh (3m) in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) last Thursday, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between but he'd have a huge chance under this penalty if that form from last week (a narrow career best) is repeated.

2/1

OUR TIP

11/10

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 332111 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has thrived since this hood went back on and she completed a November hat-trick under Charlie Maggs (good/good to soft) when winning over C&D ten days ago; probably fine on soft ground; she's 12lb higher than last time but had lots in hand once more and there could still be mileage in her mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

You Some Girl

10st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Rebecca Menzies

Made a winning start over fences at Newcastle (2m7f) in October; has failed to build on it though and she unseated her rider at Hexham (3m) two weeks ago; has a bit to prove.

16/1

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

You Some Girl

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle in October (3m, good) but hasn't done quite as well since; back on her last winning mark.

12/1

5th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:13 Carlisle

You Some Girl

11st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a three-runner handicap at Newcastle on chase debut in October (2m7f, good); no easy task when pulled up in Lincolnshire National last time; unexposed as a chaser and should improve.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 973664 BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who is 0-8 over hurdles/fences but he's run some fair races this season, including over fences here ten days ago having dropped down the weights, and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Defence Witness

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Justified favouritism over 2m5f on this card last year (good to soft), and added a Catterick stayers' event in the winter, both off 4lb lower; all wins on good to soft and soft but last month's Sedgefield second on good was the equal of his peak soft-ground form; chance.

9/2

2nd

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Defence Witness

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Point, bumper and dual chase winner at up to 3m1f, all on slow ground; below par at Kelso latest (2m5f, good to soft); on a competitive mark if bouncing back but will need to produce better than he has previously done on good going.

7/2

7th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Defence Witness

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Progressive in cheekpieces this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and posting a good second at Sedgefield (3m2f, soft) last time; it's possible the first-time blinkers will prompt a positive reaction today but he's up in grade and a career best is necessary.

9/1

Form: F7F-78

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Early days with this yard and he's tackling a new trip with Brian Hughes booked, but well beaten the last twice (2m3f/2m4f) and now 0-15.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

29th Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:15 Cartmel

Star Vantage

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Went close off 1lb lower at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last month; also suited by this track but now 0-33 over hurdles; others appeal more.

9/1

2nd

10

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Star Vantage

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ran fairly well for fourth at Hexham (2m7f, good) but that made it 0-35; not hard to take on.

14/1

4th

9

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:43 Hexham

Star Vantage

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Belied 40-1 odds when fourth from out of the weights in quite valuable series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March but was well beaten when tried in a visor in April (2m4f) and is now 0-31 over hurdles; sports refitted cheekpieces here; not the percentage call.

16/1

Form: 205072

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and remains a maiden after 26 starts but he tackled 3m for the first time over C&D (good to soft) 11 days ago and was a good second to an unexposed winner; could be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time C&D winner, most recently in May; needs to bounce back from below-par run here three weeks ago but probably still on a workable mark; dangerous to ignore.

14/1

6th

11

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Yard also runs Rauzan but this one has three C&D wins from six visits here; latest win was last month and he went close under 7lb penalty over 3m1f here two days later; those were his only two runs since latest wind surgery; raised another 4lb today but he has to be on the shortlist.

5/1

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won the 2m6f handicap on this card 12 months ago and returned to form with a 2l success over that same trip on Monday (following a wind operation); did that comfortably and must have every chance under a penalty.

9/4

Form: P7-357

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Point winner who has travelled from Northern Ireland and a case can be made judged on his good third over fences at Uttoxeter in June; however, he's been soundly beaten the next twice (fences/hurdles) and has to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

17:04 Downpatrick

Our Zebo

11st 3lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel C Kelly

3-15 over hurdles but yet to score from five starts over fences and is rated 26lb lower; made an adequate seasonal return at Kilbeggan (3m2f, good to yielding) and should be better equipped to exploit his chase mark now; interesting, especially if market support arrives.

10/1

7th

6

21st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 180y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Our Zebo

11st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel C Kelly

3-15 over hurdles but remains a maiden over fences after four runs and rated 25lb lower; ran okay off this mark at Tramore last August but lacks a recent and is best watched unless the market speaks.

11/1

Form: 2/5-73

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
He's won just one of his 16 starts but he kept on well for a fair third at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) and on that evidence this first crack at 3m is well worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:37 Perth

Maillot Blanc

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won this race last term and better form this spring, all on good ground; dead-heated for first at Kelso (2m5f) last time, which has pushed him up 3lb to his highest mark since 2024 but he looks much more likely than most of these to give his running; should be thereabouts.

11/2

1st

4

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Maillot Blanc

11st 12lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won a 3m Perth handicap last term (good); comes into the reckoning following two sound runs last month when third over 2m6f here (good; form sound) and when second over 3m at Perth (good).

4/1

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:12 Perth

Maillot Blanc

11st 6lb

J: Miss Jesika Rennie

T: N W Alexander

C&D winner off 3lb lower last June (good); clear of the remainder when 3.5l third in a decent race at Kelso last time (2m5f, good; winner went on to win 2m Scottish Champion Hurdle); has won on soft; interesting contender.

9/2

Form: 551866

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Effective over staying trips in the past and won over 2m4f at Perth in September; however, three lesser runs have followed; has to raise game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Shantou Lucky

11st 10lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Had a charmed spell for new yard earlier, five wins including one over C&D (good; also acts on soft); has run up to form only once in his last four starts though, following a revival at Fakenham last month with a tailed-off run at Windsor, and is still 6lb higher than the latest win.

100/30

5

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Shantou Lucky

11st 5lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Four class 5 wins shared between hurdles and fences since joining James Owen, hacking up in a Newton Abbot chase latest (3m2f, good to soft); a fifth race in 25 days, a step back up in class and most significantly an additional 20lb hike all ask different questions this time.

Evs

1st

2

19th Sep 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:55 Newton Abbot

Shantou Lucky

11st 13lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Revitalised 8yo who started off for James Owen with two hurdle wins in refitted visor this month (2m5f/2m4f) and barely came off the bridle when scoring by 12l over fences at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) on Tuesday; has further to go here but has good chance to extend winning spree under 7lb penalty.

8/15

Form: 0986/P

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability on occasions but he was pulled up over fences at Sedgefield a fortnight ago following a very long absence, and this 15-race maiden is probably best watched from 4lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

16:20 Perth

Wotsmyname

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Leonard Kerr

26-race maiden; ran well for a long way at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last month but ended up about 21l behind Ballydangan and is effectively 2lb higher here.

33/1

9th

12

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

Wotsmyname

10st 4lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Leonard Kerr

Unreliable longstanding maiden who was tailed off at Cartmel three weeks ago; opposable.

20/1

11

24th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Wotsmyname

10st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Leonard Kerr

0-24 under all codes and not very reliable but gave very good account when fourth from out of the weights at Kelso (2m7f, good) last month and is effectively 9lb lower from correct mark here; had excuse when pulled up last time (stirrup snapped); not ruled out.

11/1

Form: 075P-7

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-7 and 5lb out of the handicap but he didn't run badly when seventh on his reappearance at Ayr (2m3f, good to soft) in October and his pedigree provides optimism regarding the step up in trip; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Bowler Jack

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Modest hurdler who fell on his chase debut over C&D last time; plenty to prove.

14/1

13

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Bowler Jack

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Modest efforts in bumpers and over hurdles; needs to improve for the switch to fences; looks stable second string.

33/1

13

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Bowler Jack

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

midfield, fell 7th

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.40
Straight Forecast £41.22
Tricast £133.56
Trifecta £263.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

You Some Girl

TOPSPEED:

Evenwood Sonofagun

RP RATINGS:

Maillot Blanc

The Times:

You Some Girl

Telegraph:

You Some Girl

The Guardian:

You Some Girl

Daily Mail:

You Some Girl

D Express:

You Some Girl

Daily Mirror:

You Some Girl

The Sun:

You Some Girl

The Star:

You Some Girl

POSTDATA:

Evenwood Sonofagun

Daily Record:

Evenwood Sonofagun