14:05 Musselburgh

Saturday 4 February 2017

All12:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:20

bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 8m 28.1s

Just A Par^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148

8/1

Former Bet 365 Gold Cup winner who went agonisingly close to defending that crown at Sandown in April. Looked in need of reappearance at Newbury but should strip fitter here, and remains feasibly-weighted.

Form: 02-4P10

Beeves^b³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 137

22/1

Useful stayer on his day and shaped as though coming to hand when a 12-lengths fifth at Doncaster recently. Still 9lb higher than last winning mark, however, and looks vulnerable.

Form: 518551

Five In A Row⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 136

13/2

Well-placed to win three times last term between 2m4f and 3m and proved his stamina when a runner-up over 3m7f at Sedgefield on return. Questions to answer after a poor subsequent run at Sandown, however.

Form: 01102-2

Alvarado⁶³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

9/2

Tricky old-timer but still useful on his day and was a runner-up off this mark in last year's Scottish National at Ayr. Fell early in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time but shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

Form: 454/82-6

Gonalston Cloud^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: N Kent| OR: 133

8/1

Completed a hat-trick in staying chases last season and has confirmed himself on the upgrade this term, scoring at Market Rasen before chasing home Straidnahanna over 4m at Catterick. Further 3lb rise to contend with, but a major player.

Form: 1112-P5

Sun Cloud¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 131

11/1

Last of four chase wins came over 3m at Perth in April 2015 and has been quite lightly-raced over fences since. Feasibly-treated on his best form and proven stamina, but ran poorly at Haydock when last seen.

Form: 5P32P1-

Dancing Shadow^p⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: N D Fehily| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 131

6/1

Had largely flattered to deceive prior to shrugging off his maiden tag at the 19th attempt in a 3m2f chase at Doncaster last time, scoring decisively. Has a 9lb rise to contend with as he steps up in trip.

Form: 362411

Jet Master^h,t³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 127

40/1

Decent hurdler/chaser at his best who has won over both codes already this season. Below par over hurdles last time out and looks a stamina doubt as he reverts to fences in this marathon.

Form: 137743-

Azure Fly^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: N de Boinville| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

8/1

Isn't the most straightforward but hard to fault his consistency, placed for the sixth time in succession at Plumpton last month. Suited by a thorough stamina test, no surprise to see him competitive once again.

Form: 5-23222

Valleyofmilan^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Adrian Lane| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 121

25/1

Wins his fair share and put a run of modest efforts behind him to exploit a lenient mark over 3m at Ludlow last time. First attempt at this sort of trip, and a 5lb rise to shoulder.

Form: 5U1FP5-

Itstimeforapint^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121

10/1

Better than ever to land a marathon handicap chase in the mud at Hexham last spring and has returned in good order this season, finishing upsides Gonalston Cloud in the places at Catterick last time. Up a further 3lb but worthy of respect.

Form: 8P16-53

Full Jack^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 118

16/1

French import who has winning hurdle form over 3m here, but his only British chase win over 2m4f. Did prove his stamina when a runner-up over 4m at Perth last spring, however, and arrives here on the back of two decent hurdling efforts.

Form: 593444-

Present Lodger^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117

28/1

Progressive performer in 2015, winning four times over fences, but handicapper acted accordingly and he has found things tougher this year. Up in trip today, others look likelier types.

Form: 12P-244

Forecasts

Alvarado (9/2), Dancing Shadow (6/1), Five In A Row (13/2), Gonalston Cloud (8/1), Azure Fly (8/1), Just A Par (8/1), Itstimeforapint (10/1), Sun Cloud (11/1), Full Jack (16/1), Beeves (22/1), Valleyofmilan (25/1), Present Lodger (28/1), Jet Master (40/1)

Competitive stuff in this marathon chase and proven stayers Gonalston Cloud and Itstimeforapint both look equipped to play a leading role after advertising their present well-being by filling the places in a similar event at Catterick last month. Dancing Shadow proved a revelation when winning at Doncaster last time and this further step up in trip may negate a hefty weight rise but all may have their work cut out to get the better of JUST A PAR. Paul Nicholls' charge didn't look fully-tuned up at Newbury on his return but that blow-out should have teed him up nicely for this and he runs off the same mark as when touched off in the ultra-competitive Bet365 Gold Cup. 1. Just A Par 2. Gonalston Cloud 3. Itstimeforapint

Prize Money

1st: £25,024.002nd: £7,392.003rd: £3,696.004th: £1,848.005th: £924.006th: £464.00

bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase

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