12:50 Musselburgh

Friday 3 January 2020

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:35

Betway Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 17.4s

Ballycrystal Court^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 104| C

7/1

Inconsistent sort who landed Market Rasen handicap chase back in July. Not as good since, including when ninth at Huntingdon (3m) last time and even the drop back in trip may not see him to best effect.

Form: 361659

Little Stevie²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 104

18/1

Took advantage of reduced mark to win at Market Rasen (2m1f) in July. Bad mistake cost any chance on return at Bangor (2m1f) last month but that still requires more in. this.

Form: U52146

Buyer Beware⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: L Bailey| OR: 102| C

15/2

Last win came off 3lb lower here in November but way off the mark in two starts since, including when eighth at Catterick last week. Tried without headgear this time and could still be off dangerous mark.

Form: 44-6158

Timesawaiting^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98

14/1

Very average performer over hurdles last season and not firing at all this year, including 39L defeat at Kelso (2m) last time. Plenty more needed off tough enough mark on chasing bow.

Form: 6/470-P0

Goldslinger⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 94

16/1

Is an infrequent winner who was a good third at Plumpton two starts ago but may have been in need of the run for new yard when eighth at Sedgefield (2m4f) on Boxing Day. Mild claims.

Form: 336438

High Noon^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 93

11/2

Fair form in the past when with Emma Lavelle but shown very little for this yard over fences twice (0-3 overall). Cheekpieces retained but form is way off from being competitive.

Form: 458-7P5

Veiled Secret^t,v²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 92

7/2

Finished last term with success over hurdles and coming back into himself recently, including when eye-catching third at Huntingdon (2m) last time. This trip may help and not without a chance on chase debut.

Form: 21-2623

Fully Booked²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 92

17/2

Showed some ability as a novice hurdler and was well-weighted to go well on handicap debut but ultimately faded into eighth at Perth (2m) in April. Makes belated seasonal reappearance.

Form: 69458P-

Eagle Ridge²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 91

5/1

Disappointing as a maiden hurdler last term but making progress over the larger obstacles, including when taking fourth over 2m7f here on latest start. Drop in trip may help his cause.

Form: 7870-34

Lovely Schtuff^t1²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: R D Day| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 80

5/1

Previously a winner of an Irish point-to-point who was second at Kelso in May but in no such form since. Plenty more needed on recent form book but mark is tumbling greatly.

Form: 0-205P6

Non-Runners

Dahills Hill⁶⁴⁷

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: Laura Morgan J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Veiled Secret (7/2), Dahills Hill (9/2), Eagle Ridge (5/1), Lovely Schtuff (5/1), High Noon (11/2), Ballycrystal Court (7/1), Buyer Beware (15/2), Fully Booked (17/2), Timesawaiting (14/1), Goldslinger (16/1), Little Stevie (18/1)

A windy-looking contest but a tentative selection would be BUYER BEWARE. The 5lb claim of his jockey negotiates the fact he is off a higher mark than his last win at this track, but the lack of headgear today may work in reverse favour and sharpen him up off the back of a tame effort. Veiled Secret looks to be his main danger given he is running back to his level but caution is advised on his chasing debut, while the likes of Little Stevie and Lovely Schtuff look to be out of form but are on tumbling handicap marks.