UK Horse Racing Tips: Musselburgh

2-2 over hurdles so far, and already a winner at this level, the progressive LIARI is hard to oppose in his bid to complete a three-timer. The Paul Nicholls-trained French import is a possible for the Triumph Hurdle next month and another bold bid here can only enhance his claims. An Bradan Feasa had three lengths to spare over runner-up Balboa when he won at Cheltenham in December and poses a big threat to the selection. Dual C&D winner Rory The Cat is the pick of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Liari 2nd An Bradan Feasa 3rd Balboa

BOLLINGERANDKRUG was handed a stiff task in a deeper race at Newbury on his most recent start but, now dropped down a grade, he can have a bigger impact. Admittedly, the gelding is a Kelso specialist, having won twice over hurdles and four times over fences at that venue. However, he is also a tough nut to crack on a going day and is taken to outmanoeuvre Beau Balko, who is respected but was let down by his jumping latest. Cedar Hill completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Bollingerandkrug 2nd Beau Balko 3rd Cedar Hill

TITANIUM MOON absolutely breezed through a series of challenges to register four wins on the bounce last year. Having gone well fresh in the past, the Donald McCain-trained mare still has untapped potential and, given she is favoured by the weights, could be hard to beat if picking up where she left off last summer. Irish raider Hypotenus has been highly tried since winning a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park last September but cannot be ruled out now dropped in class. Panjari completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Titanium Moon 2nd Hypotenus 3rd Panjari

Grade 1 runner-up ABSOLUTE NOTIONS' current mark of 143 may underestimate his true ability and he could have too much class on this first foray into handicap company. Smart Flat performer Almuhit catches the eye at the foot of the weights and sustained market support for Emmet Mullins' charge now upped in distance would bring the five-year-old into calculations. Springwell Bay and last-time-out winners Curley Finger and Imaginary Dragon are worthy of consideration too.
Prediction : 1st Absolute Notions 2nd Almuhit 3rd Springwell Bay

TOMMY'S OSCAR was far from disgraced when fourth in the Old Roan at Aintree in late October. The son of Oscar is unexposed over this extended 2m4f trip and December's spin over hurdles at Doncaster should have put him spot on for this. Thunder Rock boasted a progressive profile prior to his latest flop at Cheltenham and the eight-year-old is feared most, ahead of an in-form Outlaw Peter.
Prediction : 1st Tommys Oscar 2nd Thunder Rock 3rd Outlaw Peter

A step up in trip saw DUYFKEN return to the winner's enclosure over C&D last month when getting the better of Lihyan, and Nick Alexander's gelding appears to be capable of backing that performance up. The aforementioned Lihyan is expected to be in the mix once again, while others who are likely to be competitive include Welsh Charger and Sleeping Satellite.
Prediction : 1st Duyfken 2nd Lihyan 3rd Welsh Charger

Getagin justified favouritism when making a winning start under Rules over C&D in December and is likely to be popular once again. However, he may struggle to successfully give 4lb to WICKED THOUGHTS, who finished third at Ffos Las on his first run for Paul Nicholls, having won a point-to-point last April. The son of Mahler is expected to have come forward from that initial experience, while Kinbara Hills and Alkaid are a pair of newcomers who could make an impact.
Prediction : 1st Wicked Thoughts 2nd Getagin 3rd Kinbara Hills