December 01 / 12.25 Musselburgh

12.25

Good To Soft

Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
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Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 977363 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Promising third in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Sedgefield (2m3f) two weeks ago when he went clear before fading; however, he jumped out to the left over this C&D yesterday and lost any chance when making a bad mistake four out; has something to prove on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Neigh Botha

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won at Southwell (2m, good) in October but looked set to be second when left in the lead at Bangor; however, only 2lb higher now and he reportedly finished lame in November on his final run.

13/2

1st

3

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Neigh Botha

11st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Watch the weather as all his best form is on good ground, including latest comfortable win at Southwell (2m); could deal with the 6lb rise under suitable conditions.

7/2

1st

3

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Neigh Botha

11st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Watch the weather as all his best form is on good ground, including latest comfortable win at Southwell (2m); could deal with the 6lb rise under suitable conditions.

7/2

Form: F6-143

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Made all at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) in June and returned to form on her second start back from a break when third of 13 here (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; went clear in the latter and this drop back in trip could be the catalyst for a return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

2nd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 59y

Class 5

15:10 Fakenham

Moore Clouds

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Andrew Wilson

Won handicap chases at Market Rasen last June (2m, good) and Sedgefield on Boxing Day (2m1f, good to soft); hasn't been in quite such good form since; could go well.

10/1

9th

6

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

18:20 Sedgefield

Moore Clouds

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Andrew Wilson

Dual chase winner last season, latterly off today's mark here (2m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; not in same form when well-held third at Market Rasen last month, though, and this switch back to hurdling is not ideal.

16/1

9th

6

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

18:20 Sedgefield

Moore Clouds

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Andrew Wilson

Dual chase winner last season, latterly off today's mark here (2m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; not in same form when well-held third at Market Rasen last month, though, and this switch back to hurdling is not ideal.

16/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 2653-5

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on stable/chase debut at Ludlow three weeks ago when back from a long absence and he needs to prove how much ability he retains; however, he showed promise over hurdles in summer 2022 and his trainer does very well at Musselburgh; one to watch in the betting in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

20:25 Newton Abbot

Crews Pitch

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Samuel Drinkwater

0-9 under rules; bettered poor stable debut when respectable sixth in first-time cheekpieces at Hereford (2m, good) three weeks ago but needs to take another good step forward here; seems best on good/good to firm ground.

25/1

6th

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Crews Pitch

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Well beaten on chasing debut in November (only start for Laura Morgan) and also struggled when switched back to hurdling for current stable in March; needs to get career back on track but combination of first-time cheekpieces. refitted tongue-tie and return to good ground can aid his cause.

25/1

6th

4

24th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

20:00 Hereford

Crews Pitch

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Well beaten on chasing debut in November (only start for Laura Morgan) and also struggled when switched back to hurdling for current stable in March; needs to get career back on track but combination of first-time cheekpieces. refitted tongue-tie and return to good ground can aid his cause.

25/1

Form: 3384-4 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but he showed promise over hurdles and was a fair fourth of eight on his recent chase and seasonal debut over C&D (good to soft); he may be able to build on that performance and has a chance now 2lb lower.
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: 0-2455 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Promising second at Cartmel in July when back over fences for his second chase start; his subsequent efforts in this sphere have been okay but he needs to produce something extra here if he's to bag a first chase success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:21 Market Rasen

Jackhammer

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Very opposable on the balance of his chase form, especially from 7lb out of the weights.

50/1

7

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Jackhammer

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Multiple Flat winner and twice successful over hurdles but has very shaky record over fences in recent years; pulled up at Cartmel one month ago and now 0-13 in this sphere; 2lb wrong today; too risky.

25/1

9

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:18 Cartmel

Jackhammer

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Miss A M Slack

Multiple Flat winner and twice successful over hurdles; 0-12 over fences and fell at his final attempt; others appeal more from 2lb out of the weights.

20/1

Form: 525-2P

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Went very close off this mark here (2m4f, good to soft) in March and soft ground may not have suited at Sedgefield recently when back from a break; however, the drop back in distance isn't an obvious plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Divas Doyen

10st 10lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sandy Forster

Won over C&D off this mark in March last year (good to soft); plenty of decent efforts since, including when third at Kelso last time (2m5f, good); each-way chance.

10/1

3rd

10

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Divas Doyen

10st 8lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Sandy Forster

A case can be made on form as recent as November but she failed to shine on her two starts in February and needs to raise her game.

12/1

4th

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:20 Musselburgh

Divas Doyen

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Forster

Won two 2m4f chases last season (good/good to soft) and gave good account when clear second over C&D (good to soft) in the autumn; recent defeat from out of the weights can be overlooked and she won't mind if the ground remains soft; good chance.

9/4

Non-runners

Magic Mike

Verdict

The mare MOORE CLOUDS (nap) was a good third of 13 over 2m4f here last time, having been clear at one point, and today’s drop back in trip could prove ideal. Hashtag Lord is open to improvement on his second chase start and is feared most, while Crews Pitch is one to watch in the betting.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Moore Clouds

POSTDATA:

Neigh Botha

Daily Mail:

Hashtag Lord

Telegraph:

Neigh Botha

RP RATINGS:

Moore Clouds

The Times:

Moore Clouds

The Guardian:

Moore Clouds

D Express:

Moore Clouds

Daily Mirror:

Moore Clouds

The Sun:

Moore Clouds

Daily Record:

Moore Clouds