15:30 Musselburgh

Friday 17 January 2020

All13:2013:5514:2515:0015:3016:00

Betway Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 35.84s

John Williams^p⁷²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Course specialist, with four wins here (including over C&D). Successful off 3lb higher here last January, but ran a stinker when last seen here in November, and needs to bounce back.

Form: 155-U6P

Izzy's Champion^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96WS

9/1

Much better effort over fences when second of 10 to Benny's Secret in a novice handicap over C&D on debut. Ran badly here next time, but has since had a breathing operation, and may well do better.

Form: 9-7302P

Carried^h¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 92

9/2

Fourth on debut for new yard at Down Royal on Boxing Day, and has since finished a creditable third on the AW at Newcastle. Hood back on in place of blinkers now, and not without claims on form.

Form: 5/69P44

Graystown^b1¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 88| D

7/2

Not the most fluent of fencers, and was weak in the finish when 13½L fifth to Mah Mate Bob at Sedgefield (2m3½f, soft) on Boxing Day. Fared no better last time, and connections now reach for blinkers.

Form: 63FP54

Oldtimer^v1²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 87

15/2

Just a moderate hurdler at best, and he has run poorly on both starts over fences this term, finishing tamely both times. Visor tried now, but it doesn't inspire confidence.

Form: 56-U066

Pierlow^p⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 84| D

33/1

Modest form over fences for Di Grissell in 2018, but well beaten after a long break for new yard at Taunton last time, and needs to raise his game markedly.

Form: 5P4/46-7

Pc Dixon¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: V Thompson| OR: 83

9/2

Has faailed to complete on two of his last four starts, but ran creditably when second at Hexham on penultimate start, and booking of a top rider takes the eye. Market useful.

Form: 5-5F62P

Stormbay Bomber^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 77

7/1

Not disgraced when fourth in handicaps here and at Catterick in November, but weakened sharply after stumbling on the home turn at Sedgefield last time.

Form: 35-3448

Painters Lad¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 64

25/1

Beaten a long way on all three starts this winter, and makes precious little appeal from 7lb wrong at the weights in this handicap.

Form: 89-469P

Forecasts

Graystown (7/2), John Williams (4/1), Carried (9/2), Pc Dixon (9/2), Stormbay Bomber (7/1), Oldtimer (15/2), Izzy's Champion (9/1), Painters Lad (25/1), Pierlow (33/1)

Not many arrive at the top of their form, and CARRIED, who hasn't been with Roy Watson long, can win having run well on the flat last time. Izzy's Champion ran well over C&D on his chase bow, and had excuses next time, so could bounce back after a breathing operation. John Williams ran badly last time, but has won four times here, so it would be no surprise to see him bounce back in an uncompetitive race.