14:20 Musselburgh

Monday 1 January 2024

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

tote.co.uk Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 23.06s

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Selected odds by:

Fidelio Vallis³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 140

5/1

Useful for Paul Nicholls in 2021 and he ran well on back of 9 months off when runner-up here (15.8f) in November. Not in quite the same form when fourth at Ascot (21f) later that month but no surprise to see a better showing now.

Form: 244/2-24

Corrigeen Rock³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 138

15/2

Took another step forward when making winning return from 6 months off at Kempton (18f) in October and creditable effort when fourth in stronger company at Ascot (16.7f) since. Mark demands that bit more but he's another unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 2261-14

Bass Rock^t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 136| D

10/1

Successful 3 times over hurdles and bright start over fences last winter, winning Carlisle novice (2m) prior to good second at Wetherby. Disappointed thereafter though and low-key return to action at First-named venue 2 months ago. Lines up here with yard in better form at least.

Form: 1/124U-P

Frere d'Armes^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

2/1

Did well over hurdles and improved for switch to chasing, landing handicaps at Kempton/Newbury last winter. Competitive from revised mark subsequently, finishing a solid second despite a late mistake in class 2 Ascot handicap (16.7f) 37 days ago. Unexposed at this sort of trip and sound claims.

Form: 1127-52

Cooper's Cross^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 133| D

12/1

Dual winner last term who ended the season with an excellent second in Scottish National at Ayr. Presumably needed the outing when eighth in Grand Sefton (21f) at Aintree in November and testing ground probably against him in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock 9 days ago.

Form: 16F2-8P

Before Midnight³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131

10/1

Ridden more handily than previously this term and best effort yet for new yard when third of 6 in handicap chase at Kempton (20.5f) 5 weeks ago. Losing run is mounting up but afforded a chance by the assessor.

Form: P6-5493

Half Shot³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: I Jardine| OR: 129| CD

11/2

Dual winner last term who has often run well at this venue, seen to good effect from the front when adding to his tally over extended 23f trip 32 days ago. Still, he arrives here better than ever and not discounted for all this rates tougher.

Form: 227-2U1

Cedar Hill⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124| C| D

25/1

Landed small field handicaps at Perth/Kelso during the summer and again ran well when chasing home Tommy's Oscar at latter-named venue in October. Reportedly bled when last of 5 here (15.8f) in November

Form: P-21125

Cracking Destiny⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 121| C| D

14/1

Well served by test of speed when capitalising on reduced mark here (15.8f) 54 days ago, by 4¾ lengths from Fidelio Vallis. 5 lb rise makes things tougher but expected to give another good account.

Form: 124441

Forecasts

Frere d'Armes (2/1), Fidelio Vallis (5/1), Half Shot (11/2), Corrigeen Rock (15/2), Before Midnight (10/1), Bass Rock (10/1), Cooper's Cross (12/1), Cracking Destiny (14/1), Cedar Hill (25/1)

FRERE D'ARMES stepped up plenty on his reappearance run and likely would have proved even more of a threat without a mistake 3 out when finishing runner-up at Ascot 37 days ago. Unexposed at this sort of trip, he can confirm himself on a handy mark. Fidelio Vallis and Half Shot head up the dangers, whilst it would come as no surprise to see a better showing from Cooper's Cross.