13:15 Musselburgh

Monday 3 December 2018

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:15

Isn't It Wiser To Bet At racinguk.com Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 6m 6.5s

Simone²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102| BF

7/2

Irish bumper winner at the 6th attempt in that sphere who has yet to win in six starts for this yard (pulled-up favourite over hurdles last run here). Fair 4th on her chasing debut at Kelso (2m5f; beaten 12L); should be better for the experience.

Form: 32P-B34

Thomas Todd^h²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 98| D

22/1

Previously with this yard in 2016/17 showing modest for in bumpers/hurdles before going into point-to-points with a new yard. Form equally modest in that sphere (beaten 52L+ and 36L+ last two); but did win a three-runner affair in April (made all).

Form: 02F1-56

Left Back^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 88| D

16/1

Showed little in novice hurdles before going into point-to-points (1-7, win came in a maiden 3m, soft) and now back under Rules. Hardly showed much more last time on his chasing/handicap debut at Kelso (well behind Simone); plenty to prove.

Form: 73123-6

Lady London^p,t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 86| CD

5/1

Hurdles form over C&D reads 124 and she's run reasonably well in three chase starts; should have won at Perth (3m, good) when idling and throwing away the race. Shaped better than finishing position last time (jumped right; mistakes); hard to trust.

Form: 555424

Court Baloo^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 82| CD

2/1

C&D winner over hurdles and returned to form last time at Newcastle (3m, good) losing out narrowly to one that was well-in despite not travelling well. Jumped slowly and was pulled up only chase start (first run after a wind op); may be best watched.

Form: 92P752

Court Painter^p¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: V Thompson| OR: 79

14/1

Chase record of 0-17 hardly inspires although there is the odd run that would give him a chance; has won a point-to-point. Most of his Rules form is at shorter trips although the jockey booking is an eye-catching one; back from a busy spring spell.

Form: 6-96426

Mission Trio^p,t1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 77

11/2

Two runs back from wind surgery over hurdles (well found in market both times) and now tried in a new headgear combination on chasing debut after running poorly. Would be well treated off this mark on some hurdles form; still question marks.

Form: 5-73277

Jackofhearts¹⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 72

33/1

Still striving for his first win under Rules of any type (0-33 career) and is 0-16 over fences. 4lb out of the handicap here and having been pulled up the last twice looks opposable even returning from a break.

Form: 654-2PP

Top Cat Dj^p,t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 68| D

25/1

Plenty of chasing form here although most of it is poor and this long-standing chase maiden (0-29) would be doing well to win this from 8lb out of the weights. Last three runs back from a break have failed to inspire (out of his depth last time).

Form: 5-8U46P

Forecasts

Court Baloo (2/1), Simone (7/2), Lady London (5/1), Mission Trio (11/2), Court Painter (14/1), Left Back (16/1), Thomas Todd (22/1), Top Cat Dj (25/1), Jackofhearts (33/1)

This is far from a strong event and despite carrying 11-12 SIMONE is handed a good chance to open her account over fences. She is a half-sister to the hurdle/chase winner Simonsig and there was plenty of promise in her chasing debut last month with this longer trip likely to suit. Dangers are rather thin on the ground although Lady London would have a chance off his mark if she could be persuaded to go through with her effort; she will at least be better going right-handed. Court Baloo would have a chance on his best hurdles form but he’s not an easy one to win with but does have form figures of 12 around here.