January 01 / 14.20 Musselburgh

14.20

Good

Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 68y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 152121 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
A better chaser than hurdler and defied 12st with a game performance at Carlisle (3m, good); 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he'll be fine back at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

2nd

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Boomslang

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in last, good headway 14th, went second home turn

Evs

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Boomslang

10st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

A better chaser than hurdler and defied 12st with a game performance at Carlisle (3m, good); 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he'll be fine back at 2m4f.

7/2

OUR TIP

100/30

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3-3122 C BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
A lot of his form is at 2m but he won over 2m4f at Wincanton in November, beating three rivals; solid efforts in defeat the last twice and looks sure to be involved once more; goes on all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Beau Balko

11st 2lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who was runner-up three consecutive times after his Wincanton win (2m4f, good) in November; slightly below form when dropped back to 2m at Newbury last month but this move back up in trip will suit and his current mark is workable.

8/1

3rd

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Beau Balko

11st 2lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who was runner-up three consecutive times after his Wincanton win (2m4f, good) in November; slightly below form when dropped back to 2m at Newbury last month but this move back up in trip will suit and his current mark is workable.

8/1

4th

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Beau Balko

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Consistent type, in frame all six starts this term, including over C&D; respectable fourth of 14 in Greatwood Gold Cup over 2m4f here last time; acts on any ground; should be in the thick of things again.

4/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 468123 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three good runs since the blinkers went on and fared best of those who raced up with the pace last time at Kelso (2m5f); raised in grade here but has claims.
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: P-7912 CD

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
In-form front-runner who got mugged late on at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); however, this is competitive and he's 8lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

15:55 Carlisle

Indian Louis

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Made all at Perth (2m4f, good) in September and runner-up over this C&D (good to soft) on two of his three starts since; this 7yo can produce another bold show.

6/1

2

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Indian Louis

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Made all at Perth (2m4f, good) in September before close second of 15 over this C&D (good to soft) in October; well-beaten fourth at Musselburgh last time but faced tough task from out of the handicap in that Class 2; could make a bold bid now back down in grade off his proper mark.

7/1

4th

8

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Indian Louis

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

In-form front-runner who got mugged late on at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); however, this is competitive and he's 8lb out of the handicap.

16/1

Form: P-P533 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Back in better form the last twice, placed over 2m7f (here) and 2m4f (cheekpieces returned); being 7lb wrong is not ideal and they claimed 7lb last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:29 Ayr

High Moon

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who has not won since April 2023; has conditions to suit here and some of his spring/summer form puts him on the premises but he was pulled up last time (bled) and others have more appealing profiles.

10/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:29 Ayr

High Moon

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Regressive 10yo who has not won since April 2023; has conditions to suit here and some of his spring/summer form puts him on the premises but he was pulled up last time (bled) and others have more appealing profiles.

10/1

8

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

High Moon

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Rebecca Menzies

Veteran is winless since 2023 but he wasn't disgraced when third of six in 2m1f handicap chase at Cartmel 25 days ago; he's no forlorn hope.

7/1

Form: 1421-6 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this last year and then won over C&D in February (soft; 5lb lower) which is strong form; not seen again until Ascot in November when he dropped away late on (2m5f, good); should be all the sharper this time and could make his class account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead early, not fluent and prominent 2nd

20/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

Form: 211315

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-4 over fences when winning a handicap at Kelso in October (2m1f, good; 2lb lower) and it was always going to be tough in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham; weighted to go well, though his improvement has come over shorter trips on goodish ground (rain forecast).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Oct 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

15:45 Wetherby

Breizh River

11st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April and Cartmel (2m5f, good) in June and he's been a good third on his last two starts (2m5f/3m, good); he should be fine at today's shorter distance and holds solid claims.

11/10

3rd

7

23rd Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:57 Perth

Breizh River

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Generally in good form this summer, winning at Cartmel in June (2m5f, good) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time and last time coming home third in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m6f, good to soft); has also finished second over C&D; should go well again.

11/2

Form: 2-6721

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only won by a nose at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) but he travelled much the best in that race and idled late on; 2lb out of the weights here so now 6lb higher in a better race; probably better over shorter as well.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.00
Straight Forecast £12.87
Tricast £63.08
Trifecta £79.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Beau Balko

The Times:

Corrigeen Rock

TOPSPEED:

Breizh River

RP RATINGS:

Boomslang

The Star:

Half Shot

Telegraph:

Breizh River

D Express:

Boomslang

POSTDATA:

Beau Balko

Daily Mirror:

Beau Balko

The Sun:

Beau Balko

Daily Record:

Beau Balko

The Guardian:

Corrigeen Rock

Daily Mail:

Corrigeen Rock