November 08 / 14.15 Musselburgh

14.15

Good To Soft

Close Brothers And CMS Mckenna Handicap Chase (Go North One Man Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Close Brothers And CMS Mckenna Handicap Chase (Go North One Man Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

Form: 134343

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
His form has gone the wrong way since he won at Perth (2m4f, good) in May but he's now 5lb lower and last month's Huntingdon third (2m4f, good) was a step back in the right direction; could take another today for trainer with fine record here; possible contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Friary Rock

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: L J Morgan

Four-time chaser winner; out of form when last in action last spring but resumes on a workable mark and with trip/ground suitable; market may guide.

12/1

4

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Friary Rock

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: L J Morgan

Four-time chaser winner; out of form when last in action last spring but resumes on a workable mark and with trip/ground suitable; market may guide.

12/1

5th

6

23rd May 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

15:28 Market Rasen

Friary Rock

11st 2lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

All wins on good/good to soft (2m-2m5f); won at Musselburgh in November (2m); pulled up on soft ground in January but posted a better effort back on a more suitable surface when third to a 20l winner here (2m5f, good) this month after a four-month break; should be all the sharper for that and he's back on a good mark; each-way claims.

7/1

Form: 158314 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Lacked fluency when winning at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last month on second chase start and there was the same issue when a soundly beaten fourth at Huntingdon (2m, good) latest; open to improvement if jumping better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

8th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Musselburgh

Magic Mike

10st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Paul Robson

took keen hold, led, headed 2nd, joined leader 5th, led again 4 out, rallied when headed run-in, no extra towards finish

9/2

4th

7

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:35 Huntingdon

Magic Mike

10st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Paul Robson

Didn't jump great when winning at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but the hot favourite in second was even worse in that department; it could be dodgy form but they did at least pull clear; raised 5lb.

7/2

Form: 7-7665 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ran okay when fifth at Hexham last time (1m7f, good; beaten about 6l) but was behind a couple of these and his losing run goes back to June 2021; 5lb out of the handicap here and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Ingleby Mackenzie

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: James Ewart

prominent, weakened before 3 out

7/1

5th

12

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:50 Market Rasen

Ingleby Mackenzie

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

Regressive 10yo who ended 2023 with two disappointing chase runs for Ewan Whillans; might have been refreshed by combination of subsequent 172-day break and change of scenery, though, and market support will bring him into the equation; 2lb wrong; cheekpieces/tongue-tie removed.

10/1

8th

11

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 5

14:55 Musselburgh

Ingleby Mackenzie

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ewan Whillans

Some respectable efforts at around 2m this autumn but he took his losing run to 23 when well held at Sedgefield (2m3f, soft) 20 days ago; bit to prove again after that and he goes into unknown territory at this trip.

12/1

Form: 23384-

Last run: 242 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles but he was a fair fourth of eight at Ayr (2m, good) in March when last seen and it's possible this lightly raced 6yo will improve for fences; returns having had a wind op and could be a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

5th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 5

14:30 Musselburgh

Hashtag Lord

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

Well handicapped on last season's hurdle form and he was a fair fourth on his chase debut here in November; however, he was disappointing when back over hurdles at Newcastle three weeks ago and the first-time tongue-tie needs to be the catalyst for a return to form.

11/1

6th

6

14th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:50 Newcastle

Hashtag Lord

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

Some fair efforts earlier this year among his first few handicap hurdles (including on heavy), and likewise on last month's chase and seasonal debut; returns to hurdles on a reduced mark and could be involved.

6/1

Form: 3-54

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability across her three hurdle starts (2m, good-soft) and connections are evidently keen to get cracking with this very lightly raced 5yo's chasing career; goes handicapping off lowly opening mark and perhaps the change of disciplines will unlock some of the potential in her pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Wonderweasle

11st 1lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Opened account at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last March, her second handicap hurdle, and has remained in good form since; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; likely to be on the premises again.

4/1

6th

9

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Wonderweasle

11st 1lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Opened account at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last March, her second handicap hurdle, and has remained in good form since; fitted with first-time tongue-tie here; likely to be on the premises again.

4/1

3rd

12

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Wonderweasle

10st 9lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

towards rear

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-2424

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who is 0-10 under rules; ran well when runner-up at Hexham (1m7f, good) in September, following wind surgery, then soft going may not have been ideal at Bangor; he looks likely to be back on better ground here and the first-time blinkers could give him a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:35 Huntingdon

Heros De Moutiers

10st 13lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders

20/1

6th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:35 Huntingdon

Heros De Moutiers

10st 13lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders

20/1

Form: 2-4522 CD BF

Last run: 144 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
He was race-fit when winning this last year (good to soft) whereas today is his first run since June; however, he was in good form back then and he's 2-2 over fences at Musselburgh, so is entitled to plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

10th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:48 Sedgefield

Budarri

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

No win since scoring at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February 2023, but has finished runner-up four times since, including to Kicksaftersix at Hexham (2m) last summer; was "never travelling" when last in action at Musselburgh three months ago; no issue with the forecast conditions.

14/1

9th

11

10th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:48 Sedgefield

Budarri

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Stuart Coltherd

No win since scoring at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February 2023, but has finished runner-up four times since, including to Kicksaftersix at Hexham (2m) last summer; was "never travelling" when last in action at Musselburgh three months ago; no issue with the forecast conditions.

14/1

5

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

16:20 Musselburgh

Budarri

10st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Fair second here (2m, soft) last month when 6lb out of the handicap and runs off his proper mark today, which is the same as when winning this 12 months ago (soft); strong contender.

7/2

Form: 18658-

Last run: 195 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Chase debut; below par over hurdles on final three runs last season but he returns having had wind surgery and on a mark 2lb lower than when winning at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last November; trainer's horses often go well fresh and can make better chasers than hurdlers; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Okavango Delta

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Paul Robson

Absent since below-par run in December but returned from break with creditable second at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft; stays much further) in November and won when fresh last spring; has travelled from Northumberland for this race and Sean Bowen is booked; interesting.

3/1

5th

4

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 4

15:20 Perth

Okavango Delta

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Did well for new yard last season with two wins at Musselburgh (good to soft/soft) and was back on the scoresheet at Worcester in May; absolute shocker at Warwick (also 2m4f, good) 29 days again, though, beaten 62l with no obvious excuses.

5/1

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Warwick

Okavango Delta

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Did well for new yard last season with two wins at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft/soft) and was back on the scoresheet at Worcester (2m4f, good) three weeks ago; did it well last time and a 4lb rise may not stop him.

10/11

Non-runners

Edmond Dantes

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £26.35
Tricast £456.55

Selections

The Guardian:

Budarri

SPOTLIGHT:

Wonderweasle

RP RATINGS:

Friary Rock

D Express:

Magic Mike

The Times:

Hashtag Lord

Telegraph:

Wonderweasle

The Star:

Wonderweasle

POSTDATA:

Friary Rock

The Sun:

Friary Rock

Daily Mail:

Budarri

Daily Mirror:

Budarri

Daily Record:

Budarri