January 01 / 13.35 Musselburgh

13.35

Soft

Fitzdares “Auld Reekie” Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 68y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Fitzdares “Auld Reekie” Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 142-43 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Two wins in last season's novice campaign (2m/2m4f, good to soft/soft), including a Grade 2, and he's run respectably in tough races on both starts this term; reverts to a handicap on a competitive mark; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2P-213 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Improved form when comfortably winning at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance and he did well to finish third at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) four weeks ago having made a bad mistake three out; has a progressive profile and this should take less winning than last time; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 31-411 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Unexposed over fences and he was having his first British chase start when winning at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in October; followed up over this C&D (good to soft; made all) in November; he's up in the weights and in grade here but is in rude health and could produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

4th

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

Half Shot

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Captured this prize a year ago and in good form until ridden aggressively when tenth in 2m5f Cartmel handicap chase 23 days ago; it would come as no surprise to see him play a major role here.

9/1

Form: 224-83

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
His jumping has lacked fluency and he's made mistakes on both runs this season but he did well to finish third of six at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last time and the step back up in trip looks a likely plus; well treated on last season's best efforts (2m3f-2m5f) and he could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 50-236 C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won twice last winter (2m1f/2m, heavy/good to soft), including here, and he returned from a break with a good third at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October; he's better than he showed at Kelso last time but, even if bouncing back to form, he may be vulnerable to stronger stayers at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

19:35 Market Rasen

Cedar Hill

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

held up in rear

8/1

4th

3

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

13:50 Musselburgh

Cedar Hill

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last year with below-par C&D run (bled from the nose) and was beaten when falling over 2m4f here on New Year's Day; needs to get back in the groove but has very good chasing strike-rate (7-25) and his current mark is workable.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 53-114

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won his first two starts this season (2m1f, good) and the form of his last-time-out fourth at Cheltenham (2m, good) is working out extremely well; also effective on soft ground and his chance hinges on whether he stays the trip; running well in second, albeit looked held, when falling two out in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

5th

2

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

15:35 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 8lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, weakened 5 out

7/2

Form: 5P-435 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
10yo who has been regressive and, although he took a step back in the right direction over hurdles here last time, he didn't shape as though a win was imminent; 7lb out of the handicap now back over fences and others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:45 Newcastle

Antey

12st 1lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

His mark continues to tumble but it's a long time since this 10yo posed a threat and others make greater appeal.

20/1

2

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:45 Musselburgh

Antey

12st 2lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Makes quick reappearance after struggling from out of the weights in good-quality 2m4f contest here on New Year's Day; will find this race easier but is patently not the force of old and others in this line-up have much more persuasive profiles.

25/1

7th

9

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

13:35 Musselburgh

Antey

10st 2lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

10yo who has been regressive and, although he took a step back in the right direction over hurdles here last time, he didn't shape as though a win was imminent; 7lb out of the handicap now back over fences and others preferred.

33/1

Form: U11-55 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Dubai Days

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won over C&D (soft) in February before respectable sixth of 17 in veterans' final at Haydock (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago; 11 visits to Ayr have yielded five wins and this is his time of year; could go well.

16/1

6th

14

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Dubai Days

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

His last six wins have come in the months of February, March or April and he returned to form to win at Ayr (2m4f, soft) 40 days ago; runner-up in this race two years ago (soft) and won over C&D (good to soft) last February; that latest win reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; possible player.

12/1

1st

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Dubai Days

12st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either outing this term and was tailed off at Aintree most recently; however, this is the stage of the season when he tends to come good and he's 2lb lower than when scoring at Haydock last February; has won here four times, and on various ground.

6/1

Form: 3-7512 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
10yo who has returned to form with these blinkers back on the last twice, winning at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) before a solid second behind a progressive winner at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft); there's still mileage in his mark based on his old form and he can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th, struggling 3 out, no chance when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up

9/4

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th

9/4

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Baron De Midleton

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

set good pace, led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, lost two places before 3 out, weakened and pulled up quickly before 2 out

8/1

Non-runners

Dubai Days, Baron De Midleton

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.10
Straight Forecast £10.04
Tricast £40.75
Trifecta £36.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

Pay The Piper

SPOTLIGHT:

Cooper's Cross

The Times:

Minella Drama

D Express:

Half Shot

POSTDATA:

Cedar Hill

Telegraph:

Dubai Days

TOPSPEED:

Pay The Piper

Daily Mail:

Pay The Piper

Daily Mirror:

Pay The Piper

THE NORTH:

Cooper's Cross

The Sun:

Cooper's Cross

Daily Record:

Minella Drama

The Star:

Half Shot