13:45 Musselburgh

Monday 1 January 2024

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

tote.co.uk New Year New Me Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 3m 52.51s

Williethebuilder¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

7/2

Has done well over hurdles for new yard this term, winning at Uttoxeter (2m) before good runs in Grade 2 and competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (faded, Panjari third). This is a bit easier and he remains unexposed.

Form: 352-145

Carcaci Castle^t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124| D

22/1

Looked a useful prospect when landing 2m maiden/novice hurdles at Kelso for new yard a year ago but has failed to complete both starts since 8 months apart (Grade 2 first occasion), dropping away approaching 3 out and pulled up in handicap at Carlisle on return. Back down in trip.

Form: 61/11P-P

Collingham^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| CD

16/1

Enjoyed a good campaign last term, winning handicaps at Wetherby and over C&D and second in this race (last two under this rider). Promising return at this track and while not so great at Doncaster next time he'll likely be much closer to form back here in re-fitted headgear. 1 of 2 for yard.

Form: 21U7-56

Park Annonciade^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 120| D

9/2

Improving in chunks in handicap hurdles, value for nearer double the winning margin as he followed up his Ayr success in valuable Class 2 event at Haydock (18.9f) under this rider 5 weeks ago. Up 6 lb and good shout in hat-trick bid.

Form: 721311

Slugger^t1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: I Jardine| OR: 119| BF| D

33/1

Made a winning start over hurdles despite racing freely in 2m novice at Kelso on return in October and ran well behind Belle of Annandale here 8 weeks ago, mistakes late and fading. More needed now handicapping in first-time tongue tie.

Form: 426-214

Ballygeary³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| D

17/2

Has made a very positive start to his hurdles career, his only 2 defeats coming in hot Cheltenham handicaps (albeit ran well on return). Took a match last time and likely type down in trip. 1 of 2 runners for yard that won this in 2021 and 2023.

Form: 1110-31

Panjari¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118| D

10/3

Useful on Flat in Germany and has been very quick in getting the hang of hurdling, winning extended 2m Taunton novice and running well from a good prominent position in Cheltenham handicap a fortnight ago. Headgear left off this time. Respected.

Form: 5213

Cuban Cigar^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113| CD

18/1

Enhanced a pretty good record around here with a first success of the season in C&D handicap 32 days ago under this rider. Needs more off a career-high mark now but that form has been franked.

Form: 312-241

Belle Of Annandale^v1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: A Keatley| OR: 113| CD

25/1

Has done well switched to hurdles for new yard, winning 2m Perth maiden and C&D novice. Struggled in a listed race last time but handicaps will be more suitable. Visor goes on.

Form: 1214

Scots Poet^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 104| CD

16/1

Another who goes well here, winning C&D handicap in February and a good second in November. In touch when slipping up between last 2 in race won by Cuban Cigar here 32 days ago and remains in form, although this is much tougher.

Form: 34-242F

Cancan¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 102| D

22/1

Landed 2m mares' novice hurdle at Ayr in November 2021 and proved she retains all of her ability on second start back after an absence when second in Class 5 mares' handicap over C&D a fortnight ago. Much more needed in this.

Form: 2228/P2

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

Caithness⁴⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Panjari (10/3), Williethebuilder (7/2), Park Annonciade (9/2), Caithness (8/1), Ballygeary (17/2), Scots Poet (16/1), Collingham (16/1), Cuban Cigar (18/1), Cancan (22/1), Carcaci Castle (22/1), Belle Of Annandale (25/1), Slugger (33/1)

A hot renewal of this traditional New Year's Day handicap with PARK ANNONCIADE taken to get the hat-trick up. He was value for nearer double the winning margin when taking a good contest at Haydock on Betfair Chase Day and can go on improving. There is more to come from Caithness and he's feared, while Donald McCain, who has won 2 of the last 3 runnings of this, saddles an interesting pair in Collingham (second last year) and Ballygeary.