13:40 Musselburgh

Thursday 1 January 2026

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5115:25

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 54.53s

Wise Eagle^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A Nicol| OR: 127| BF| C

5/2

Very useful stayer on the Flat who easily landed maiden/novice races at Musselburgh/Catterick last season prior to finishing runner-up to in-form rival on handicap debut on latest hurdle start. Had a wind op prior to a pipe-opener on the Flat last month and may do better tackling a longer trip.

Form: 212/112-

Moonbow^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 126| D

7/2

Ungainly when landing back-to-back 2½m handicaps at Perth but continued his progression when runner-up at Aintree in October, unable to capitalise on an easy lead and showing a more encouraging response to pressure. That form has been given a boost and he merits serious consideration.

Form: 313112

Serious Chat^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

9/1

Has a fine strike-rate over hurdles, including winning two of 3 starts this season, latterly with a career-best success in a 7-runner handicap hurdle at Doncaster (19.4f, soft) last time, jumping better than often the case. No surprise to see him build on that.

Form: 31-2151

Bold Light³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 124| CD

20/1

Enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign, including when a ready winner of this race on soft ground. Has probably needed both outings this season and arrives off just 1 lb higher than his last successful mark. Respected.

Form: 1315-64

Smokeringinthedark⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 119| BF| CD

11/2

Beat a subsequent Grade 2 winner when successful on hurdling debut over C&D last December and ran his best race when runner-up on handicap bow at Hexham (2m) in May. Unable to justify strong support on reappearance at Wetherby (soft) but likely worth another chance for in-form yard.

Form: 2143-27

Fasol^t,p⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

4/1

Useful winning stayer on Flat in France. Not seen to best effect when fifth in a strong 2m handicap at Ascot prior to outspeeding a subsequent winner to record a second success over hurdles in a Wincanton novice last month. Makes plenty of appeal back up in trip on return to handicap company.

Form: 123-551

Bel Amigo^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115| D

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser in France who completed a hat-trick in novice hurdles at Carlisle last season. Returned in fine heart this season, placing for third consecutive race when no match for a less-exposed rival at Kelso last time. Should remain competitive back up in trip.

Form: 11-6322

Heart Above²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 111| C

28/1

Course winner who enhanced an impressive Kelso record when bagging a 14-runner handicap hurdle (20.9f) last month but produced a rare-below par effort when disappointing back down in trip there earlier this month. May bounce back but needs a career-best to resume winning ways.

Form: 441216

Chanonry Point^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 110| C

16/1

Fetched £40,000 after landing a maiden point in January. Successful on Rules debut in a course bumper in March and made it 2-2 at this track under a change of tactics when making all in a maiden (15.6f) last time. Takes on a field of geldings but she's unexposed upped in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 113-21

Forecasts

Wise Eagle (5/2), Moonbow (7/2), Fasol (4/1), Smokeringinthedark (11/2), Serious Chat (9/1), Bel Amigo (12/1), Chanonry Point (16/1), Bold Light (20/1), Heart Above (28/1)

A competitive renewal. FASOL has some solid form in the book this season and he can follow up his Wincanton success on return to a handicap. Moonbow may not be entirely straightforward but he's progressing and looks a serious danger along with unexposed Chanonry Point, who is 2-2 on this course and could have more to offer now handicapping over a longer trip.