14:17 Musselburgh

Saturday 1 February 2025

All13:4214:1714:5015:2215:5716:27

bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 3m 40.49s

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Selected odds by:

All The Glory^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135| C| D

28/1

Made most of drop in grade when successful over 19.8f here in November and had no trouble defying an 8 lb higher mark at Southwell (20.4f, heavy) next time. Below best when sixth of 7 in Ascot Grade 2 latest and whilst this is clearly easier, the trip may well be on the sharp side.

Form: 569116

Norman Fletcher³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR: 129| D

11/1

Resumed winning ways at Huntingdon in November before a good third at Doncaster (16.6f) a month later. Easy to excuse his Southwell run on New Year's Day on account of his track position and he appeals as a likely candidate to bounce back.

Form: 07-213P

Florida Dreams^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 126| BF| CD

4/1

Grade 2 bumper winner who doubled his hurdles tally on return at Hexham (16.2f) in October. Posted a solid fifth in Greatwood Hurdle next time before filling same spot upped to 20f at Aintree on Boxing Day. Possibilities back down in trip.

Form: 538-155

Welsh Charger³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: A Ralph| OR: 126| C| D

14/1

Took his form up a notch last season, winning twice (including here) and further progress after 8 months off when successful at Wetherby (19.7f) in November. Didn't see his race out when seventh of 11 in handicap at Newbury (20.5f) 5 weeks ago and he's back down in trip now.

Form: 4119-17

Balhambar^p,t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| BF| D

9/2

Much improved sent handicapping in this sphere, winning at Ludlow/Bangor in the spring. Looked better than ever upon returning to action, excellent third at Cheltenham prior to finding only one too good at Southwell (15.8f) 31 days ago. High on shortlist in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 3112-32

Old Gregorian^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| D

17/2

Back on track refitted with a tongue strap this autumn, supplementing his Kelso victory in clear-cut fashion at Wetherby (2m) in November. Solid second back at first-named venue a month later and no reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 3P-6112

Afadil^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 120| CD

3/1

Successful from 4 lb higher mark in this race 12 months ago and acquitted himself with plenty of credit at Spring Festivals thereafter. Has yet to scale same heights in handful of starts this term, but excuses at Southwell last time and better showing anticipated.

Form: 4-08456

Mack The Man^v³³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 119| C| D

33/1

Veteran course winner who responded well to fitting of a visor, gaining a third win of 2024 at Ayr in November. Found his run of good form coming to a halt when fourth of 5 in handicap at Haydock (15.6f) 33 days ago though, and others appeal more on balance.

Form: 3-14134

Maghlaak^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 116| BF| D

16/1

Fairly useful Flat performer who supplemented his Wetherby novice win with a ready handicap debut victory at Catterick under this rider on New Year's Day. Testing ground/quick turnaround possibly against him when below that level at Ayr next time and he could yet get back on the up. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 444113

Freddy Robinson⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 112| CD

9/1

Had a productive time of it on the Flat last year and continued the good work in this sphere, runner-up over C&D before filling same spot at Sedgefield (16.8f) 6 days ago. This is definitely a tougher assignment, but his rider takes off a handy 5 lb.

Form: 933/1-22

Rewired¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 110| D

22/1

Won 2m handicaps at Doncaster and Taunton last winter but has yet to fire for current yard, never involved when sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (15.6f, soft, 66/1) 14 days ago. Mark has eased further at least.

Form: 084386

Ravenscraig Castle^b,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 109

18/1

Fairly useful stayer on Flat but hasn't won since his 3-y-o days. Does come here in good order, first start following wind surgery/equipped with blinkers when second of 6 in a C&D handicap 31 days ago. Each-way claims up in class.

Form: 223242

Forecasts

Afadil (3/1), Florida Dreams (4/1), Balhambar (9/2), Old Gregorian (17/2), Freddy Robinson (9/1), Norman Fletcher (11/1), Welsh Charger (14/1), Maghlaak (16/1), Ravenscraig Castle (18/1), Rewired (22/1), All The Glory (28/1), Mack The Man (33/1)

Successful in this race from a 4 lb higher mark 12 months ago, AFADIL has yet to fully fire this term, yet had excuses on account of his track position at Southwell 31 days ago, so in an open-looking affair he's narrowly selected to bounce back. Balhambar is proving most consistent and is a danger in refitted cheekpieces. Florida Dreams and Maghlaak are others to consider.