14:45 Musselburgh

Thursday 30 November 2023

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

James And Gloria Roche Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 12.2s

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Selected odds by:

Magna Sam²²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Alex Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 126| CD

13/2

Better than ever after 9 months off on his yard debut when landing Edinburgh National here (31.5f) in February. Excellent fifth in Scottish National at Ayr final start. Is 3 from 3 here and big shout back down in class.

Form: 113/P15-

Archies Charm^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: B R Hamilton| OR: 125| D

11/2

Some good efforts in defeat last season but not quite in same form this time around. Others look better treated.

Form: 245-634

Half Shot¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 122| C| D

5/1

Dual winner last term who ended campaign with fine seventh from out of the handicap in Scottish National in April. Looked as good as ever when just beaten on Kelso reappearance (26.2f) and shaped as if still in good form before unseating at Canal Turn at Aintree 3 weeks ago.

Form: 2227-2U

Burbank^b⁵⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 120

25/1

Back to form from out of the blue when springing a 33/1 surprise in 26.5f Perth handicap hurdle in April, benefiting from an enterprising ride. Shaped as if badly in need of the run after 5 months off at Bangor 8 weeks ago and hard to know what to expect back over fences.

Form: P/PPP1-P

Inis Oirr³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| CD

10/3

Came good at fourth attempt over hurdles in February, landing a class 2 novice here (23.8f). Jumping well until bad mistake (possibly unsighted by glare of sun) and unseating rider at Kelso on return/chase debut. Not seen to best effect under a change of tactics at Carlisle since and can do better.

Form: 6164-U4

Tim Pat^b1,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119

18/1

Completed a hat-trick at Haydock in early 2022 but winless since and well held last 4 starts, including return. Change of headgear. Others are preferred.

Form: 62P4-P0

Methodtothemadness^t¹⁹⁶

12/1

Won 3 times last season, including back-to-back successes over C&D in February. Well held next 2 starts but return to this track is a plus after 6 months off.

Form: 2611P-3

Concetto^t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112| CD

3/1

Well held hurdling runs but proved a totally different proposition sent chasing, scoring on handicap debut at Huntingdon before following up at Musselburgh. Well held on reappearance but better than bare result at Ludlow since (let down by jumping). Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 1127-P4

Pookie Pekan⁵⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 111| CD

40/1

Wide-margin winner over C&D almost 2 years ago but well held both starts since and returning from long absence here (19 months).

Form: 215136/

The Vollan^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 107| D

28/1

Hasn't tasted success since landing a small-field Kelso handicap chase (23.4f, good to firm) 13 months ago and failed to build on the promise of previous run when well held at Fakenham last time.

Form: P-P433P

Non-Runners

The Ferry Master³⁵

Weight: 10-13| Age: 10

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Concetto (3/1), Inis Oirr (10/3), Half Shot (5/1), Archies Charm (11/2), Magna Sam (13/2), Methodtothemadness (12/1), Tim Pat (18/1), Burbank (25/1), The Vollan (28/1), The Ferry Master (33/1), Pookie Pekan (40/1)

MAGNA SAM couldn't have enjoyed much more of an upturn than he did in a couple of outings for Alastair Ralph last term, winning here in February before an excellent fifth in the Scottish National at Ayr (shaped second best for much of the way), and he can make it 4 from 4 at this track back down in class. Half Shot looks set for another good season, while Inis Oirr remains with potential in this sphere.