January 03 / 13.45 Musselburgh

13.45

Soft

Fitzdares Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 170y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Fitzdares Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 224-12 C BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Dug deep to make winning seasonal/stable debut here (2m4f, good to soft) in November and lost out only narrowly when clear second to unexposed rival over that trip here three weeks later; unraced beyond about 2m5f but still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:20 Perth

Massini Man

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in rear, slow jump 2nd, bad mistake 3rd, soon pulled up

7/2

6

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:20 Perth

Massini Man

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Failed to win during fairly light campaign last season but was placed on consecutive 2m7f starts at Musselburgh (good to soft/soft) in February and those efforts bring him into the equation here.

7/2

2nd

4

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

15:20 Musselburgh

Massini Man

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Won twice here last season (2m4f/3m, good to soft/soft) and fair third over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago when about 3l behind the runner-up Captain Quint; might not be far away.

8/1

100/30

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0-2551 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences at fourth attempt, coming from off the pace for clearcut C&D (soft) success four weeks ago; remains unexposed over 3m and a recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

2nd Dec 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

11:49 Doncaster

Creative Control

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Well handicapped on some of last season's form but had fortune on his side when winning at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in September and has been safely held twice since; should be fine over today's trip but needs to up his game; tongue-tie fitted.

10/1

8th

3

4th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

13:07 Ayr

Creative Control

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made it 2-10 over fences when scoring at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in September but the clear leader fell two out in that race and this 7yo came up well short in his follow-up bid at Bangor last month; others preferred.

8/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 429-5P D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Placed in 2021 Scottish Grand National in his prime but made underwhelming seasonal debut in October and was pulled up in last month's Borders National at Kelso; comes here with a bit to prove and Ryan Mania evidently prefers Massini Man.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th Jan 2024

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

13:25 Doncaster

The Ferry Master

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Won off 3lb higher at Kelso (2m5f) last May but has proved far from consistent otherwise in recent times; distant third over C&D last month and needs to improve on that form.

16/1

3rd

4

15th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:22 Doncaster

The Ferry Master

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Won a four-runner handicap off this mark at Kelso in May but his form has been patchy in recent seasons; pulled up the last twice.

12/1

Form: 1123-1

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
3-5 over fences, the latest win gained on seasonal debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) in November; contests a stronger race here but is open to further improvement on this first attempt at 3m under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 4

13:45 Musselburgh

Radetzky March

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

3-5 over fences, the latest win gained on seasonal debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) in November; contests a stronger race here but is open to further improvement on this first attempt at 3m under rules.

5/1

1st

1

10th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:45 Market Rasen

Radetzky March

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: L J Morgan

Transformed by the switch to chasing at the start of the year, winning his first two attempts and running well in defeat next time; below best on final start but may well resume his progress on return from eight months off; hood fitted for first time over fences.

5/1

Form: 2/04-7

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on chasing debut at Taunton in November but that was his first run for nearly a year and he remains lightly raced; market support will bring him into the equation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

18

27th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Enemenemynemo

11st 2lb

J: Miss Izzie Marshall

T: D J Jeffreys

Jumped well and never headed at Perth (2m4f, good) in July and returned to that level when reeled in late on at Huntingdon (2m4f); not sure the winner of that race was particularly well handicapped and there are stamina doubts over this far.

16/1

2nd

3

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

16:25 Huntingdon

Enemenemynemo

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

raced in second, pushed along after 3 out, good jump and led 2 out

100/30

Form: 223-56 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won comfortably over 2m4f here (good to soft) a year ago and is back on a good mark now but hasn't fired on either start this season; about 32l behind Creative Control over C&D four weeks ago and still needs to prove conclusively that he stays this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Pitempton Power

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ewan Whillans

Deterioration of his form continued in sole outing this season, following a lengthy layoff; best watched.

25/1

6

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Pitempton Power

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ewan Whillans

Deterioration of his form continued in sole outing this season, following a lengthy layoff; best watched.

25/1

Form: 223-34 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Triple course winner over 2m4f (one hurdle, two chases); not at best when last in action and yet to convince stamina-wise over 3m but ran well when placed on seasonal debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and his current mark is workable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

17:06 Perth

Broadway Joe

11st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won three in a row over fences (2m1f/2m4f) towards the end on 2021 but he's drawn a blank since; on reduced mark and wasn't beaten far at Kelso last month but he has a very mixed record in last six starts and others are more convincing.

12/1

7th

5

17th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Broadway Joe

11st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent on outer

12/1

9th

4

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Carlisle

Broadway Joe

10st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Admirably consistent for vast majority of last season and has dropped below his last winning mark; reappeared with good third at Kelso last November but has struggled on his three starts since and a revival is needed.

16/1

Form: 22122- C BF

Last run: 365 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Very well suited by this track and ran well in defeat in this race 12 months ago (soft ground); not seen again since but resumes on a 5lb lower mark and will be dangerous if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

9th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

First Account

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway on outer from over 5f out, soon led and against rail, increased tempo over 3f out, pushed along when headed under 3f out, soon ridden and weakened

8/1

1

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

First Account

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Keith Dalgleish

towards rear, bad mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th

8/1

3rd

2

5th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 4

15:55 Musselburgh

First Account

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Keith Dalgleish

Possibly needed the run (back from 12-month absence) three weeks ago, eventually pulled up; scored twice off this mark here (hurdles/fences) in February 2020; likely player if back on song.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2/6254 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Second over hurdles at Perth (3m, good) in September and didn't run badly on latest outing in November but is 0-5 over fences and hasn't run in a chase since November 2020; would probably prefer better ground than he is likely to encounter here; others look much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 3

16:20 Musselburgh

Jack Devine

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Continues to drop down the weights and he posted a couple of fair performances over hurdles in the autumn; showed promise over fences earlier in his career but his losing run goes back 11 races to November 2018 and it's hard to be confident that today will be the day he returns to winning ways.

15/2

3

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 4

13:45 Musselburgh

Jack Devine

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Second over hurdles at Perth (3m, good) in September and didn't run badly on latest outing in November but is 0-5 over fences and hasn't run in a chase since November 2020; would probably prefer better ground than he is likely to encounter here; others look much safer.

14/1

4th

3

25th Nov 2022

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

12:00 Doncaster

Jack Devine

11st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Disappointing last time but had finished a creditable second at Perth (3m, good) the time before and a possible on that form.

15/2

Form: 2/327-

Last run: 383 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 7yo who was placed in two Ffos Las maiden hurdles (both 2m4f, soft) in autumn 2021; not seen since a lesser effort at end of that year but still looks interesting now upped in trip for chase/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:25 Perth

Gris Gris Top

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

towards rear, struggling after 11th, pulled up before 4 out

7/1

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:25 Perth

Gris Gris Top

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

towards rear, struggling after 11th, pulled up before 4 out

7/1

3

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:40 Ayr

Gris Gris Top

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Has finished runner-up in a point and a bumper and also in two maiden hurdles, one at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) the other at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy); back after 417 days off; quite interesting.

5/1

Form: -54245 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner over hurdles and a four-time winner on the Flat but yet to convince as a chaser (five attempts); well beaten over 2m4f here on latest outing in November and remains a risky option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 170y

Class 4

13:45 Musselburgh

Taxmeifyoucan

10st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Keith Dalgleish

Six-time winner over hurdles and a four-time winner on the Flat but yet to convince as a chaser (five attempts); well beaten over 2m4f here on latest outing in November and remains a risky option.

25/1

5th

3

21st Nov 2022

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

12:50 Musselburgh

Taxmeifyoucan

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Keith Dalgleish

Six-time winner over hurdles and a four-time winner on the Flat but yet to convince as a chaser (four attempts); not beaten that far when fourth of six at Ayr (3m, good to soft) last month but latest 3lb drop not enough to tempt.

14/1

4th

2

24th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 4

13:10 Ayr

Taxmeifyoucan

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Keith Dalgleish

in touch with leaders, lost position 13th, ridden and weakened 4 out

9/1

Non-runners

First Account, Jack Devine

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.60
Straight Forecast £10.89
Tricast £81.42
Trifecta £82.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Creative Control

Telegraph:

Radetzky March

POSTDATA:

Massini Man

TOPSPEED:

First Account

RP Ratings:

Creative Control

The Times:

Creative Control

Daily Mail:

Creative Control

D Express:

Creative Control

The Sun:

Creative Control

The Star:

Creative Control

Daily Record:

Creative Control

Daily Mirror:

Radetzky March

The Guardian:

Massini Man