Musselburgh Race 7

Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Prize Money: $12,915

NATIONAL QUESTION (6) is starting to race consistently with two wins and a runner-up effort past four starts including when coming out on top by a head attempting a Sedgefield handicap hurdle three weeks ago. Major player. CHER TARA (2) left behind three disappointing efforts to place third in a Newcastle handicap hurdle on most recent appearance last month. Expected to challenge. VELVET VULCAN (7) makes some attraction towards bottom of the weights. Aims to turn two runner-up efforts into a win after placing second twice at Ayr. May go one better. GEMINI MAN (1) cannot be discounted after placing second two starts back. Something for the Multiples: SNOW DRAGON (4)

Distance: 3978m
Track: Soft
Weather: SHWRY
Surface: Turf
Class: HCP HDLE, C5

Rail Position: True

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Cher Tara (5) 30x0639573
Trainer: D F Bourke(Waterbeck, Dumfries & G'way)
Jockey: Toby Mccain-Mitchell
Weight: 75kg
Prize Money: $20,484
Win / Place: 5.56% / 27%

7 yo Bay Mare

Sire: KAYF TARA (GB)

Dam: ROCK CHICK SUPREMO (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Scorpion

Rating

Stats

Career

18: 1-1-3

Distance

3: 1-0-1

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-0

3rd Up

3: 0-0-2

4th Up

3: 0-0-0

Metro

3: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

15: 1-1-2

Turf

18: 1-1-3

Good

11: 1-1-2

Soft

7: 0-0-1

Clockwise

11: 1-1-2

Anti-Clockwise

7: 0-0-1

Hurdle

17: 1-1-3

Steeple

1: 0-0-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3923m - 4928m

Comments

Freshened for 31 days. Last start finished third of 16 runners at Newcastle on January 15 over 4100m, 1.5 len behind Cher Monsieur carrying 73.5kg at $26. The run before ran on from midfield; finished seventh of 13 starters at this track on December 22 over 4800m, 13 len behind Reflection Of You carrying 72.5kg at $7.50. Best form over the jumps stacks up well.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 16	15/1/26	Newcastle Uk	4123m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Callum Bewley	73.5kg	Good Soft	5:11.00	47.7 km/h	1.5L	11-6	$26	24	$11,160	$1,378	1. Cher Monsieur 2. Drop Kick 3. Cher Tara
7th of 13	22/12/25	Musselburgh	4828m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Danny Mcmenamin	72.5kg	Good Soft	6:04.55	47.7 km/h	13.0L	7-4	$7.50	40	$12,700	-	1. Reflection Of You 2. Lizzie Luna 3. Bollin Matilda
40 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 14	12/11/25	Ayr	3923m	HCP HDLE 3U	-	Jordan Gainford	74.5kg	Soft	5:03.81	46.5 km/h	9.6L	9-4	$17	12	$14,760	$446	1. Tread Softly Now 2. Shadow Chaser 3. She's Notjoeking
9th of 20	31/10/25	Down Royal	4928m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Danny Gilligan	71.5kg	GY	6:15.08	47.3 km/h	15.8L	-	$11	10	$17,340	-	1. Creadan Grace 2. Fill The Tank 3. Chasing Crowns
3rd of 8	21/10/25	Perth Uk	4023m	HCP HDLE 3U	-	Danny Gilligan	70.5kg	Soft	5:37.20	43.0 km/h	10.3L	6-2	$12	17	$18,150	$2,242	1. Diamond Geezer 2. Mountain Molly 3. Cher Tara
6th of 14	4/10/25	Gowran Park	4023m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Jack Kennedy	73kg	Y	5:08.40	47.0 km/h	15.0L	-	$12	51	$17,340	$185	1. Jerisk Star 2. Aclass 3. Boola Times
51 Day Freshen-Up

Snow Dragon (1) l546x3334
Trainer: Lucinda Scudamore(Milnathort, Kinross-shire)
Jockey: Gregor Walkingshaw (a0)
Weight: 71.5kg
Prize Money: $6,770
Win / Place: 0% / 37%

5 yo Grey Gelding

Sire: DECORATED KNIGHT (GB)

Dam: ROSE OF MIRACLES (GB)

Dam's Sire: Dalakhani

Rating

Stats

Career

8: 0-0-3

Distance

2: 0-0-2

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-2

Track

4: 0-0-2

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-1

2nd Up

2: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Metro

2: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

6: 0-0-3

Turf

8: 0-0-3

Good

4: 0-0-1

Soft

3: 0-0-2

Heavy

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

6: 0-0-3

Anti-Clockwise

2: 0-0-0

Hurdle

8: 0-0-3

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 0-0-3

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 4123m

Comments

Racing well. Last start made some head-way from midfield; finished fourth of 10 runners at Newcastle on January 27 over 4100m, in the wet; 13 len behind Parish Star with 69kg at $4.50. Race before finished third in a small field at this track on December 8 over 4000m, slow track; 15 len behind Passing Pleasure with 68kg at $3. Must be a chance.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 10	27/1/26	Newcastle Uk	4123m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Gregor Walkingshaw	69kg	Heavy	5:41.35	43.5 km/h	13.0L	6-4	$4.50	50	$11,160	$690	1. Parish Star 2. Burning It Up 3. Rock N Roll Champ
50 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 6	8/12/25	Musselburgh	4023m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Gregor Walkingshaw	68kg	Soft	5:04.06	47.6 km/h	15.0L	4-4	$3.00f	10	$13,910	$1,568	1. Passing Pleasure 2. Lillistar 3. Snow Dragon
3rd of 11	28/11/25	Musselburgh	4023m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Gregor Walkingshaw	65kg	Good Soft	5:11.20	46.5 km/h	4.8L	8-3	$3.50f	38	$12,700	$1,568	1. Speed Davis 2. Speiriuil 3. Snow Dragon
38 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 12	21/10/25	Perth Uk	3218m	HCP HDLE 3U	-	Gregor Walkingshaw	67kg	Soft	4:17.33	45.0 km/h	2.0L	5-5	$9.00	247	$16,340	$2,018	1. Nathan Wells 2. Tanking Along 3. Snow Dragon
247 Day Spell
6th of 11	16/2/25	Musselburgh	3118m	HCP HDLE 4U	-	Alan Doyle	69.5kg	Good Soft	3:46.90	49.5 km/h	15.8L	9-7	$11	46	$14,520	-	1. King Ulanda 2. Milajess 3. Heart Above
46 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 8	1/1/25	Musselburgh	3130m	JHDLE 4	-	Jack Power	70kg	Soft	4:03.39	46.3 km/h	19.0L	6-6-6-6-5-5	$67	33	$14,760	$926	1. Johnny Ringo 2. Maple 3. Cracker Star
33 Day Freshen-Up

Beat The Retreat (2) 8175208x10
Trainer: N W Alexander(Kinneston)
Jockey: Dominic Hislop (a0)
Weight: 71kg
Prize Money: $37,496
Win / Place: 13% / 36%

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: GETAWAY (GER)

Dam: LINDY LOU (GB)

Dam's Sire: Hernando

Rating

Stats

Career

22: 3-2-3

Distance

6: 1-1-2

Trk/Dst

4: 1-0-2

Track

6: 1-0-2

1st Up

4: 1-0-0

2nd Up

4: 1-0-2

3rd Up

3: 0-0-0

4th Up

3: 0-1-1

Non-Metro

22: 3-2-3

Turf

22: 3-2-3

Good

13: 1-2-2

Soft

6: 1-0-1

Heavy

3: 1-0-0

Clockwise

9: 1-1-2

Anti-Clockwise

13: 2-1-1

Hurdle

21: 3-2-3

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

6: 1-1-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3922m - 4828m

Gear Changes

[Visor, Tongue Strap]

Comments

Third-up today. Resuming won by 1.0 len Ayr on December 1 over 3900m in the wet defeating Forest Blaze with 69.5kg at $21 in a hurdle. Second run from a spell finished tenth of 13 runners at this track on December 22 over 4800m, 34 len behind Reflection Of You carrying 69kg at $8. Looking elsewhere.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
10th of 13	22/12/25	Musselburgh	4828m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Bruce Lynn	69kg	Good Soft	6:04.55	47.7 km/h	34.0L	2-6	$8.00	21	$12,700	-	1. Reflection Of You 2. Lizzie Luna 3. Bollin Matilda
1st of 8	1/12/25	Ayr	3922m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Bruce Lynn	69.5kg	Heavy	5:24.88	43.5 km/h	1.0L	1-1	$21	151	$14,520	$7,795	1. Beat The Retreat 2. Forest Blaze 3. So Many Roads
151 Day Spell
8th of 11	3/7/25	Perth Uk	4023m	HCP HDLE 4U	-	Bruce Lynn	70.5kg	Good	5:05.47	47.4 km/h	69.5L	2-7	$17	26	$16,340	-	1. Top Flight Century 2. Raby Mere 3. Tees Comp's Clive
11th of 15	7/6/25	Hexham	4049m	HCP APP HDLE	-	Kit Alexander	71kg	Good Soft	5:13.81	46.4 km/h	18.3L	9-7	$19	24	$16,790	-	1. Nakassama 2. Suitably Surprised 3. Huit Reflets
2nd of 8	14/5/25	Perth Uk	4023m	HCP HDLE 4U	-	Dominic Hislop	66kg	Good	5:06.20	47.3 km/h	0.8L	5-3	$7.00	21	$15,430	$3,812	1. Larkfield Lusive 2. Beat The Retreat 3. Donso Star
5th of 11	23/4/25	Perth Uk	4828m	HCP APP HDLE	-	Jesika Rennie	66.5kg	Good Soft	6:19.27	45.8 km/h	36.3L	6-6	$23	33	$14,210	$458	1. Billable Grant 2. Follow Charlie 3. Happy Index
33 Day Freshen-Up

National Question (3) 4x458x1251
Trainer: Adam Nicol(Seahouses, Northumberland)
Jockey: Joshua Thompson
Weight: 69kg
Prize Money: $43,065
Win / Place: 13% / 30%

6 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: FRACAS (IRE)

Dam: IRISH QUESTION (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Giant's Causeway

100

Rating

Stats

Career

30: 4-4-1

Distance

2: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

5: 1-1-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-1-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-0

4th Up

3: 1-0-0

Metro

5: 1-1-0

Non-Metro

25: 3-3-1

Turf

28: 4-4-1

Good

19: 4-3-1

Soft

9: 0-1-0

Synthetic

2: 0-0-0

Firm

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

14: 1-1-1

Anti-Clockwise

16: 3-3-0

Hurdle

14: 3-3-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3118m - 3994m

Gear Changes

[cheek piece]

Comments

Last run ran on from midfield and won by a head Sedgefield on January 25 over 3990m defeating Nellie Bluesky carrying 64kg at $4.20 in a hurdle. Before that finished fifth of 11 starters at this track on December 22 over 3100m, 7 len behind Magna Victor carrying 62.5kg at $3.30. Tough to stop again.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	25/1/26	Sedgefield	3994m	HCP HDLE 4U	-	Joshua Thompson	64kg	Good Soft	5:05.16	47.1 km/h	0.2L	4-3	$4.20	34	$11,350	$5,993	1. National Question 2. Nellie Bluesky 3. Secret Vino
34 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 11	22/12/25	Musselburgh	3118m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Charlie Maggs	62.5kg	Good Soft	3:46.32	49.6 km/h	7.8L	8-8	$3.25f	39	$12,700	$391	1. Magna Victor 2. Gemini Man 3. John Betjeman
39 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 10	13/11/25	Sedgefield	3419m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Charlie Maggs	66kg	Soft	4:05.13	50.2 km/h	2.0L	3-2	$2.50f	14	$11,160	$2,756	1. Tanking Along 2. National Question 3. Sassified
1st of 11	30/10/25	Newcastle Uk	3392m	HCP HDLE 3U	-	Charlie Maggs	62kg	Good	3:59.93	50.9 km/h	1.8L	7-4	$11	121	$11,350	$5,993	1. National Question 2. Prospect House 3. Platenium
121 Day Spell
8th of 11	1/7/25	Musselburgh	2509m	HCP 4U	4	Rhys Elliott	57.5kg	Good	2:43.24	55.3 km/h	10.5L	5-7	$10	9	$14,680	-	1. Crystal Guard 2. Made All 3. Falcon Nine
5th of 9	22/6/25	Hexham	3262m	HCP HDLE 4U	-	Joshua Thompson	66.5kg	Good	4:07.45	47.5 km/h	23.3L	4-5	$3.25f	30	$16,790	$509	1. Dickens 2. Blended Stealth 3. Malangen

Velvet Vulcan (4) 2071566422
Trainer: R M Smith(Galston, E Ayrshire)
Jockey: Ben Smith (a0)
Weight: 68kg
Prize Money: $38,272
Win / Place: 6.06% / 24%

Quick Back Up

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: NATHANIEL (IRE)

Dam: BATTERY POWER (GB)

Dam's Sire: Royal Applause

Rating

Stats

Career

33: 2-5-1

Season

2: 0-2-0

1st Up

5: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Metro

1: 0-1-0

Non-Metro

32: 2-4-1

Turf

11: 0-3-0

Good

6: 0-1-0

Soft

3: 0-2-0

Heavy

2: 0-0-0

Synthetic

22: 2-2-1

Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

32: 2-5-1

Hurdle

6: 0-2-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 0-2-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

2615m - 4123m

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

Comments

Racing well. Last run finished second of 9 starters at Ayr on February 10 over 4100m, slow track; a head behind The Coffey Boy with 68kg at $5.50. Before that finished second of 19 runners at Ayr on January 2 over 4100m, slow track; a head behind So Many Roads carrying 63.5kg at $26. Looks well placed and expected to feature.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 9	10/2/26	Ayr	4123m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Ben Smith	68kg	Soft	5:33.43	44.5 km/h	0.2L	8-2	$5.50	39	$12,700	$3,138	1. The Coffey Boy 2. Velvet Vulcan 3. The Jeweller's Pet
39 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 19	2/1/26	Ayr	4123m	HDLE HCP 4U	-	Ben Smith	63.5kg	Soft	5:10.52	47.8 km/h	0.2L	12-3	$26	32	$14,520	$3,587	1. So Many Roads 2. Velvet Vulcan 3. Forest Blaze
32 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 7	1/12/25	Ayr	3922m	HDLE HCP 3U	-	Ben Smith	64.5kg	Heavy	5:28.16	43.0 km/h	15.5L	7-5	$19	30	$14,520	$897	1. King Gris 2. Red Cadillac 3. Holly Bird
6th of 11	1/11/25	Ayr	3218m	HCP HDLE 3U	-	Nathan Moscrop	64.5kg	Soft	4:03.88	47.5 km/h	7.5L	9-5	$51	23	$18,150	-	1. Dee's Getaway 2. Hosaamm 3. Balally Park
6th of 10	9/10/25	Ayr	2615m	HCP 3U	4	Sean Kirrane	57.5kg	Heavy	3:08.43	50.0 km/h	27.5L	8-7	$8.00	35	$12,700	-	1. Aighear 2. Vampire Slayer 3. Amalfina
35 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 7	4/9/25	Lingfield	3218m	HCP APP 3U	2	Hollie Doyle	57.5kg	Neutral	3:31.27	54.8 km/h	9.8L	7-5	$7.50	14	$11,250	$351	1. Double Meaning 2. Sapphire Sirocco 3. Rogue Empire

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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