15:15 Musselburgh

Saturday 3 February 2018

All12:5513:3014:0514:4515:1515:4516:20

bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 8m 50.9s

Delusionofgrandeur³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 144

5/1

Recorded his fourth win in 11 starts over fences at Catterick in November and shaped well again in a stronger contest at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Promises to stay this longer trip and looks a leading contender.

Form: 18-3313

Southfield Theatre^b,t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

10/1

Talented chaser at his best, but is a light of former days and handicap mark has tumbled accordingly. Return to a sounder surface and the assistance of a fine claiming jockey makes him appealing, but he does come with risks.

Form: F8-493P

Relentless Dreamer^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 138

10/1

Landed a 3m handicap at Ludlow two starts ago, but was held off 7lb higher at Taunton last time. Takes a a big step up in trip, but it promises to suit and jockey booking suggests a bold show is anticipated.

Form: 8-6P216

Missed Approach^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| BF

9/2

Form of his excellent sixth at Newbury two starts ago and a drop in the weights looked to give him every chance at Warwick last time. Although he had to settle for third, this marathon trip and promise of better ground make him of serious interest.

Form: U28-P63

Dancing Shadow^p⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 135| CD

12/1

Won this race off 4lb lower last year, but comes into this renewal on the back of a poor display at Sandown. Needs to bounce back, but has to be factored into the equation with no stamina doubts to worry about.

Form: 11P0-10

Bells 'n' Banjos⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132

7/1

Only five runs over fences and has won two of them. Good effort when fifth in a decent handicap at Cheltenham when last seen in October and can run off 1lb lower. Has something to find with Missed Approach on Cheltenham Festival form

Form: 71185-5

Looking Well²⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 132

12/1

Best effort last season when second in a valuable handicap at Doncaster. Something may have been amiss when last sighted in a handicap chase at Perth in June, but is nicely weighted if fit and well on his return,

Form: F/2126-7

Ballymalin^v1³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

8/1

Decent hurdler who won on his chasing debut at Worcester and was not disgraced in better company at Cheltenham. Heavy going may have been to blame for two most recent below-par displays, so he has prospects on better ground in a first-time visor.

Form: 75-13P3

Gonalston Cloud^p²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: N Kent| OR: 128

12/1

Chased home Dancing Shadow in this contest last year and is able to race off 5lb lower. Recent efforts have been disappointing, but better ground will suit.

Form: 1220-85

Azure Fly^b,t⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 121

14/1

Third in this contest a year ago and is able to race off a 4lb lower mark. Pulled up when last seen at Fontwell in November, so has questions to answer.

Form: 3P4-16P

Mister Don^p⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 120

8/1

Back to form when winning at Doncaster last time and has been raised 5lb for that success. Has decent form in stamina tests and is not one to dismiss lightly in his current mood.

Form: 322281

Full Jack^b³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 116| BF| C

12/1

Fourth last year when trained by Pauline Robson and was by no means disgraced on his first start for this trainer when third of eight in a handicap hurdle at this track following an absence of over seven months. Runs from 2lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3444-73

Forecasts

Missed Approach (9/2), Delusionofgrandeur (5/1), Bells 'n' Banjos (7/1), Mister Don (8/1), Ballymalin (8/1), Relentless Dreamer (10/1), Southfield Theatre (10/1), Full Jack (12/1), Dancing Shadow (12/1), Gonalston Cloud (12/1), Looking Well (12/1), Azure Fly (14/1)

A good renewal and probably a better one than last year when Dancing Shadow beat Gonalston Cloud, Azure Fly and Full Jack. With that in mind, it may pay to concentrate on top-weight Delusionofgrandeur, the unexposed Ballymalin and MISSED APPROACH, with preference for the latter who has proved his ability to stay this trip, is attractively weighted and will appreciate better ground if rain stays away. In an open-looking contest, cases can also be made for Southfield Theatre, Relentless Dreamer, Bells 'n' Banjos, Looking Well and Mister Don.