14:25 Musselburgh

Friday 3 January 2020

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

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 2.15s

Roycano⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 117| D

7/1

Lightly-raced despite his age over hurdles and put up a mighty performance to finish third at Sedgefield (2m4f) in November. Off the same mark again and holds leading claims.

Form: U33/6-73

Sky Khan^t¹⁸³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114

11/1

A grand servant but last win came back in 2015. Not beaten far in two starts this term but latest sixth at Perth may see him booked for minor honours once again.

Form: 2355-66

Chanceanotherfive^b²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 109| CD

9/4

Form book is generally impressive and made it 2-2 over C&D chase 11L success last month. Handicapper has reacted but leading contender for hat-trick bid back over hurdles.

Form: 323-611

Beast Of Belstane³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 108

14/1

Bumper winner last term but not gone to plan this season, including tailed off seventh on handicap bow (2m4f) here last time. Up in trip but has a bit to prove now.

Form: 61-P357

The Very Thing¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105

16/1

Promising sort for Olly Murphy last term with some respectable efforts but not in the same calibre when distant third at Catterick on yard debut. Should stay but needs to improve.

Form: D537-43

Court Baloo^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: A C Whillans| OR: 104| CD

4/1

Made it a four-timer with victory at Kelso in November and further enhanced his claims with good third off 6lb higher at Wetherby last time. May still be an improving sort.

Form: 711113

Buckled²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Losing record now stands at 12 and took a backward step when last of seven over C&D last time. Was returning that day and may strip fitter off a likeable mark.

Form: 33P2-97

Petite Ganache^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 99

7/2

Temperamental sort but was on a going day when second to Chanceanotherfive over C&D in November. Better weighted than that rival and should make his presence felt.

Form: 52-3252

Forecasts

Chanceanotherfive (9/4), Petite Ganache (7/2), Court Baloo (4/1), Roycano (7/1), Sky Khan (11/1), Buckled (12/1), Beast Of Belstane (14/1), The Very Thing (16/1)

CHANCENAOTHERFIVE has been in flying form this season and has obviously taken a liking to this C&D, whether that be over hurdles or fences. While he is 7lb higher he remains in good heart and the nature of his victories suggest there is plenty more to come from the eight-year-old. Another improving sort may be Court Baloo who has proved to be a revelation this winter and is expected to come forward once again, while Petite Ganache plugged on behind the selection last time and unless drastically improving, looks booked for that place once again.