14:20 Musselburgh

Wednesday 1 January 2025

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

Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 31.89s

Corrigeen Rock⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 144| CD

11/2

Likeable sort was runner-up in the contest last season before landing a big pot here (20.3f, good to soft) the following month. Shaped as if better for the run at Ascot on return and he's respected trying to give plenty of weight away all round.

Form: 1/1421-6

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Breizh River⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR: 133

9/1

Could barely have taken any better to chasing, gaining his third win from his first 4 starts in this sphere at Kelso in October. Flying too high in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time but has to be respected back in a handicap.

Form: 211315

Beau Balko¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| BF| C| D

3/1

Reliable sort doubled his tally over fences in a 4-runner handicap at Wincanton (2½m, good) in November. Good efforts when chasing home improved rivals both outings since and he's likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 33-3122

Boomslang⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 125

3/1

Maiden hurdle winner in June who has quickly reached a higher level over fences, value for a good deal extra when making it 2 wins from 3 starts in this sphere at Carlisle (24.5f) last month. Plenty more to come.

Form: 152121

Half Shot^b⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 119| CD

8/1

Perked up by application of blinkers as he capitalised on reduced mark at Kelso in September, rallying to edge back ahead final 50 yds.- Has remained in good heart since, albeit producing a mixed round of jumping when third there in November. Place claims with Hughes back aboard.

Form: 468123

Gold Des Bois^p,t⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 116

25/1

Endured a long losing for Iain Jardine but made his second start for Sandy Thomson a winning one when scoring in a 6-runner event at Kelso (17.1f, good to soft) 53 days ago. Has proved competitive from higher marks, so can't be discounted from out of the weights.

Form: 82-6721

High Moon^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 111| D

7/1

Remains with only a sole chase success to his name but once more shaped encouragingly when third of 14 in handicap chase (9/2) at Hexham (20.1f, soft) 21 days ago. Career best likely to need to win this from out of the weights, though.

Form: 2P-P533

Indian Louis^t⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110| CD

8/1

Dual point winner who made a winning chase debut on this card last season. Back on track when doubling his tally over fences at Perth (21f, soft) in September and improved further when runner-up at Carlisle next time, but will need further progress to figure here.

Form: 3P-7912

Forecasts

Boomslang (3/1), Beau Balko (3/1), Corrigeen Rock (11/2), High Moon (7/1), Half Shot (8/1), Indian Louis (8/1), Breizh River (9/1), Gold Des Bois (25/1)

BOOMSLANG has made a fine start to his chasing career and was value for a good deal extra when taking his record over fences to 2-3 at Carlisle last time. He can defy a 7 lb rise at the chief expense of the consistent Beau Balko, who may have to settle for playing second fiddle again, with Gold des Bois fancied to complete the placings from just of the weights.