Timeform Daily: Friday, Musselburgh 14:40

A hurdle race at Musselburgh comes into focus

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to a staying handicap hurdle at Musselburgh on Friday...

Easement was a dual winner for Charlie Morlock and best effort for this yard when runner-up over 2m at Kelso in March. No real surprise given ungenuine nature he hasn't backed that up since. 3m more suitable.

Ifyouthinkso won a maiden point in Ireland in May and bought for $15,000 later that month. Modest form on second of 2 C&D contests in recent weeks, but always a chance he'll improve now handicapping.

Syndication regressed over hurdles prior to a couple of inauspicious tries over fences in recent months. Runner-up in a jumpers' bumper last time, and tried in blinkers upped to 3m on hurdling return.

Uncut Stone was a modest staying maiden on the Flat, but much improved with blinkers on switched to handicaps when runner-up over C&D a month ago. That form is solid, so a 2 lb rise leaves him competitive

Vallani won a couple of 3m Perth handicap hurdles in the mud in August. Highlighted unreliability with tame efforts the last twice, but stable back firmly in form so couldn't rule her out.

Benmadigan is a modest handicap hurdler who ended a long losing spell at Southwell (3m) in July and went in again here over (2m) in November. Soft ground against him behind Uncut Stone over C&D latest.

Any Given Moment landed a gamble over C&D in December 2011 second time up for this yard. Found just a thriving one too good here the following week but not seen since shaping amiss later that month.

Auberge has plenty of placed efforts to her name since registering sole success at Cartmel in August 2010. Hard to get excited about 2 comeback runs in recent weeks, though.

Commercial Express made little impact since taking Perth hunter in April 2011 under this rider, and didn't offer a lot from a much-reduced mark here in November. Cheekpeices now on. Engaged 2.30 Ayr Thursday.

Goldtrek was fair at up to 1m on the level and much improved over hurdles when making all in a 2m handicap here in November. Remains very well treated on Flat form, and bound to go close if coping with 3m.

Corky Dancer was a bumper winner back in 2009, and on a lenient mark if ever refinding that form, but hasn't show enough in a trio of 2012 outings to seriously consider him up in trip.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Uncut Stone
2. Goldtrek
3. Any Given Moment

Timeform View: Goldtrek remains with plenty of scope from a handicapping perspective, but the step up to 3m is a big concern, even at this track, so preference is for Uncut Stone. Any Given Moment needs a check for market confidence on reappearance.

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