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

3rd

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Breizh River

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Win/placed form in his usual cheekpieces before making all for a narrow success in the newly fitted visor (with tongue-tie worn for last seven starts) at Cartmel (2m5f, good); he's getting high in the weights now (raised another 4lb) and he won't be the only one racing prominently.

9/1

1st

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:15 Cartmel

Breizh River

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In fine fettle in recent runs, landing his fifth win over fences at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April and placed since at Aintree and Perth; swaps cheekpieces for a first-time visor and looks sure to give another good account.

3/1

2nd

9

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Breizh River

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Career bests on the RPR front in his last two races, winning at Kelso (2m5f) and close up at Aintree (2m4f; again on good); could run well, though a nagging concern that he didn't appear to stay 3m when he tried it once before (at this track).

10/1

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