15:05 Musselburgh

Friday 1 January 2021

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Betway 'Auld Reekie' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 22.4s

Red Risk⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| D

11/2

French recruit who scored on second start for this yard at Ludlow last winter. Creditable third over 21.4f at Market Rasen on return in October, but disappointing next time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 9131-35

Schiehallion Munro⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 141| BF| D

13/2

Promising novice last term and went off too hard on return in 19.4f Wetherby race won by Cool Mix in October. Better effort when runner-up over same C&D next time and remains with potential.

Form: 1211-62

Return Ticket^p,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 141| C

8/1

Opened chase account at Sedgefield in October and struck again on first run following a wind op over 2m here last month. However, a new personal best needed up 7 lb in this stronger race.

Form: 522131

Garde La Victoire³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| BF| D

10/1

Not the force of old and winless since early 2017, though his mark reflects that and he has acquitted himself well in handicap chases at Hereford and Leicester this season. Place possibilities.

Form: 4/643-33

Romain De Senam^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

13/2

Three-time winner at around 2½m for Paul Nicholls in 2019. Yet to click for new yard this season, but the assessor has provided some assistance and this 9-y-o will be a danger to all if on-song.

Form: 48-864B

Fanzio^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 133| D

14/1

Dual winner already this term and bounced back from a poor show at Wetherby when going close at Taunton (2¼m, soft) last time. However, up another 1 lb to a new career-high mark and looks vulnerable.

Form: 3101P2

Bigmartre²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller| T: H Whittington| OR: 133| D

28/1

Below par last season and hasn't shown a great deal of spark in 2 starts since returning to action in October.

Form: 5674-49

Cool Mix^h³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 132| D

9/2

Better than ever this season, building on solid reappearance effort when landing a strong Wetherby handicap in October. Third off this mark at Newcastle (23.4f) last time and another bold show likely.

Form: 37-2133

Get Out The Gate²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Bewley| T: A M Thomson| OR: 126| C

15/2

Well below par initially for this yard but firmly back on track the last twice, resuming winning ways in 3m handicap hurdle here last month. 2 lb higher back in this sphere and couldn't rule out.

Form: 607921

Mint Gold^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 125| C

8/1

Lost his way over hurdles but has taken well to this game, making it 2-4 over fences with a decisive success over 2m here last time. Further progress needed now up in the weights, class and trip.

Form: 56-3121

Voix D'Eau^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| DWS

33/1

Well handicapped judged on 2018 form, but hasn't shown much in 3 runs since returning from a lengthy absence in August. Undergone a second wind op since latest start.

Form: 0U/2-4P8

Non-Runners

Mount Mews³³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cool Mix (9/2), Red Risk (11/2), Romain De Senam (13/2), Schiehallion Munro (13/2), Get Out The Gate (15/2), Return Ticket (8/1), Mint Gold (8/1), Garde La Victoire (10/1), Mount Mews (12/1), Fanzio (14/1), Bigmartre (28/1), Voix D'Eau (33/1)

The one who appeals most is SCHIEHALLION MUNRO, who showed the benefit of his reappearance spin behind Cool Mix at Wetherby when runner-up there in November. He has few miles on the clock for a horse of his age and should have more to offer as a chaser. Cool Mix has resumed in top form this season and he has to be feared, while Romain de Senam and Get Out The Gate also enter calculations.