15:15 Musselburgh

Saturday 1 February 2020

All12:5713:3114:0514:4015:1515:5216:26

bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 8m 57.6s

Carole's Destrier^p²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 140

14/1

Useful stayer in his pomp but last month's Sandown return to action was a long way short of what will be required to lump top weight around to good effect now.

Form: 4P1P-V8

Little Bruce^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 138

9/2

Built on pleasing return to action when getting better of Sumkindofking to the tune of 3L at Catterick last month over 3m5f. Raised 5lb for the win but could be further progress to come and clearly relishes the stamina test.

Form: 2312-31

Wonderful Charm^p,t²⁴⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

7/1

Top class at his peak, beaten a neck in 2017 Cheltenham Foxhunters by stablemate Pacha Du Polder. Winner at Stratford in May when last sighted; he has won on first start in each of the last three years. Trainer does very well here.

Form: 0/131P-1

Bob Mahler^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 135

9/2

Had 7L to spare over Little Bruce at Cheltenham in April and best effort since when runner-up behind Boldmere at Doncaster. Could have more to offer over this stamina-sapping trip.

Form: 11-PP32

Arthur's Gift³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133

6/1

Carlisle winner a year ago, has run well at times since that but Welsh National run in December asks a question over this trip. Will have to prove his stamina.

Form: 81P-527

Sumkindofking^p,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 133

7/1

Improved for step up in distance when second to Little Bruce at Catterick last month over 3m5f, going 3L in second at the line. 5lb better off now and could be more to come in this sphere.

Form: 144642

Brian Boranha²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: P D Niven| OR: 130

6/1

Dour stayer on his day, but comes here with questions attached after last two starts; was held at Catterick last month behind Little Bruce and Sumkindofking when coming to grief late on.

Form: 30-44PF

Chic Name^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 128

5/1

Comes here off two sound efforts in Cross Country events at Cheltenham recently, dropped 1lb by the assessor and cheekpieces back on; not overlooked.

Form: 18-P034

Blow By Blow¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 122

40/1

Smart hurdler on his day winning the 2018 Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival; struggling over fences since winning start at Galway in October 2018. More hit than miss these days and opposable.

Form: PP-9P25

Harry The Viking^p⁹⁰

Age: 15| Weight: 10-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119

28/1

Won the Borders National at Kelso over this sort of trip in December 2018 off this mark; would be dangerous if turning up in that mood but has underperformed all three runs since.

Form: 7/710P-P

Forecasts

Bob Mahler (9/2), Little Bruce (9/2), Chic Name (5/1), Brian Boranha (6/1), Arthur's Gift (6/1), Sumkindofking (7/1), Wonderful Charm (7/1), Carole's Destrier (14/1), Harry The Viking (28/1), Blow By Blow (40/1)

Little Bruce impressed when winning last time at Catterick and can progress further despite being nudged up in the ratings. He had 3L in hand on Sumkindofking (now 5lb better off) and both are likely to go well again. Chic Name has been going well in Cross Country races and may again run well but BOB MAHLER had Little Bruce behind when they clashed in the spring at Cheltenham and ran well last time at Doncaster. He is the sort that might excel over a marathon trip and looks decent value at the early prices.