15:35 Musselburgh

Sunday 2 February 2025

All13:2213:5514:2515:0015:3516:0516:34

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 58.45s

Teddy Blue^b1,t⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 124| D

4/1

Talented but his temperament started to look an issue for the Moore stable last season and there was little sign of improvement on hurdles return for new yard at Cheltenham in November. Clearly comes with risks attached on chasing bow but he has been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper.

Form: 9647-70

Grain D'oudairies^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 123| D

7/1

Scored at Market Rasen (17.2f) in March and gained reward for consistency when returning to winning ways at Doncaster (16.4f) in November. In the process of running well when coming down 4 out at Wetherby since and ought to go well again.

Form: 3-3331F

Salamanca Bay^h,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120| D

15/2

Headstrong sort who was well served by fitting of a hood when off the mark over fences for Lucinda Russell at Ayr (16.5f) in March. Proved troublesome at start for new connections but lurks on a dangerous mark if putting it all together.

Form: 312-4P6

Findthetime⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 119| D

33/1

Landed a pair of small-field handicaps last winter for Nicky Richards and got back on track for his current yard when second at Hexham (15.6f) in June. However, he reportedly bled at Haydock latest and makes limited appeal.

Form: 14-P24P

Mint Gold^t⁵⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| CD

20/1

Made light of a lengthy absence when successful over C&D back in November 2023. Largely performed well since and arrives on back of solid fourth at Sandown (15.5f, good to soft) in December. Warrants respect.

Form: 1F22-34

Chapel Green^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| CD

13/2

Back down in grade and ridden by this pilot, doubled his tally for the season when scoring over C&D in November. Posted good second of 6 at Ayr (16.5f, soft) since and looks a likely player.

Form: 515812

Duhallow Tommy⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 114

10/3

Proved to be a different proposition switched to fences following a wind op last term, winning 3 times (at up to 19.8f, all at Plumpton). Performed with credit in both starts this term and looks sure to make his presence felt again here.

Form: 1129-32

Thistle Ask^h,t⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart| OR: 108| D

17/2

Fair winner at 16f over hurdles who was returning from 20 months off when encouraging second of 7 in handicap chase at Ayr (16.5f, good to soft) on debut over fences 97 days ago. Entitled to build on that.

Form: 24271/2

Hold Onto The Line^p⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Ewart| OR: 105| CD

7/1

Added to his good record at this venue when creditable 4¼ lengths second of 7 to Chapel Green in handicap chase over C&D (good to soft) 65 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: P/71-5F2

Sea God³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Conner McCann⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98

28/1

Bumper winner who shaped like a stayer switched to hurdling on first run since leaving John McConnell when fourth at Kelso (20.9f) in May. Gone the wrong way since, however, and is likely best watched on switch to larger obstacles.

Form: 1/1-4PP

Forecasts

Duhallow Tommy (10/3), Teddy Blue (4/1), Chapel Green (13/2), Hold Onto The Line (7/1), Grain D'oudairies (7/1), Salamanca Bay (15/2), Thistle Ask (17/2), Mint Gold (20/1), Sea God (28/1), Findthetime (33/1)

There should be plenty of pace on here, which will suit CHAPEL GREEN, who got back to winning ways over C&D in November and has run well at Ayr since. He gets the nod in a tricky-looking contest. Grain d'Oudairies and Mint Gold are also of interest.