Musselburgh
Rob Wright
12.30 Meritorious 2.10 First Impression
1.05 Bollingerandkrug 2.50 Gaelik Coast
1.40 Aurora Thunder 3.25 Angel Of Harlem
Going: good to soft, soft in places
Racing TV
12.30 Betway First Foot Juvenile
Hurdle (4-Y-O: £4,684: 2m) (6)
1 12 COLLINGHAM 26 (CD) D McCain 11-4 B Hughes
2 5331 INCA PRINCE 18 (H,D) Ruth Jefferson 11-4 J Hamilton
3 INDIVIDUALISTE F217 P Nicholls 10-12 Bryony Frost
4 MERITORIOUS F224 (P) J McConnell (Ire) 10-12 S D Torrens (3)
5 5 PUSH FOR SIXTY 59 (W,T) I Jardine 10-12 A Doyle (7)
6 54 OOT MA WAY 26 (P) I Jardine 10-5 C O'Farrell
15-8 Collingham, 5-2 Individualiste, 3-1 Inca Prince, 4-1 others.
1.05 Betway Novices' Handicap
Chase (£3,812: 2m 4f) (6)
1 PP5-6DIABLE DE SIVOLA 27 (V) R Dobbin 9-12-1
Mr W B Ramsay (7)
2 01-34BOLLINGERANDKRUG 40 (P,T) L Russell 7-11-12D R Fox
3 2-451PITEMPTON POWER 20 Ewan Whillans 7-11-8C Bewley
4 35-F0CASTLETOWN 26 (B) Miss P Robson 10-11-2B Hughes
540016 BALRANALD 18 (P) Mrs A C Hamilton 6-10-12 J Hamilton
6 00-00CARRY ON THE MAGIC 23 (T) P Nicholls 8-10-12
Bryony Frost
11-8 Pitempton Power, 4-1 Bollingerandkrug, 9-2 others.1.40 Betway Hair Of The Dog ITV
Handicap Hurdle
(£10,130: 2m 4f) (8)
1 14-36STONER'S CHOICE 29 (T) F O'Brien 7-11-12M Kendrick
2 3-006VOIX DU REVE 35 (P,D) I Jardine 10-11-11 C O'Farrell
341112 GEROMINO 21 (T,D) D McCain 6-11-5 B Hughes
4 0-UR2STRONG GLANCE 21 O Murphy 9-11-1 F Gregory
5 15-51ASHINGTON F10 (C,D) B Ellison 7-10-12 H Brooke
6 6542UCAIUS MARCIUS 35 (P) N Richards 11-10-12
Mr C Rabbitt (10)
7 -342PAURORA THUNDER 28 (D) L Russell 8-10-3 C McCann (10)
832231 KAVANAGHS CROSS 27 (T) I Jardine 7-10-0 A Cheleda (5)
11-4 Geromino, 7-2 Strong Glance, 5-1 Kavanaghs Cross, 6-1 others.
Wright choice: Aurora Thunder struggled in a better
race at Aintree Dangers Stoner’s Choice, Voix Du Reve2.10 Betway Hogmaneigh ITV
Handicap Hurdle (£15,609: 2m) (7)
1 -2311TOMMY'S OSCAR 21 (CD) A Hamilton 7-11-12 T Midgley (7)
2 2-346CHRISTOPHER WOOD 42 (P,T,CD) P Nicholls 7-11-4
A Cheleda (5)
3 0502-ANNA BUNINA 258 (T,D) J McConnell (Ire) 6-10-13
S D Torrens (3)
4 130-0FIVEANDTWENTY 63 (W,CD) D McCain 5-10-4B Hughes
5 15-1UFIRST IMPRESSION 26 (BF,D) J J Quinn 5-10-3H Brooke6 50-40MICK MAESTRO 48 (D) N Kent 9-10-3 K Brogan (3)
713335 BLAKENEY POINT 27 (B,T,CD) D McCain 9-10-0C Bewley
9-4 Tommy's Oscar, 11-4 First Impression, 4-1 Anna Bunina, 7-1 others.
Wright choice: First Impression jumped well on his
penultimate start at Wetherby Danger Anna Bunina2.50 Betway 'Auld Reekie' ITV
Handicap Chase
(£15,609: 2m 4f) (5)
1 0-210GAELIK COAST 36 (CD) D McCain 8-11-12 B Hughes
2 00-33AMOUR DE NUIT 36 (D) P Nicholls 10-11-7Bryony Frost
302222 GOLD DES BOIS 63 (T) I Jardine 8-11-1 C O'Farrell
4 0-5F5JOKE DANCER 20 (P) Sue Smith 9-11-0 R Mania
5 1-0R4NIETZSCHE 23 (P,T,D) B Ellison 9-10-13 H Brooke
11-8 Amour de Nuit, 11-4 Gold Des Bois, 4-1 Gaelik Coast, 7-1 others.
Wright choice: Gaelik Coast was below par at
Newcastle but goes well here Danger Amour De Nuit3.25 Play 4 To Win At Betway
Handicap Hurdle (£3,976: 3m) (6)
1 060-0COOLBANE BOY 63 A M Thomson 7-11-12 R Mania
2 0P-50COOLDINE BOG 137 F O'Brien 9-11-11 M Kendrick
342154 MORRAMAN 10 (CD) D McCain 9-11-9 Miss A McCain (5)
4 -662PCOURT DREAMING 27 N Richards 9-11-9M Galligan (7)
5 43/43ANGEL OF HARLEM 25 (P,T) O Murphy 9-11-7
G Harney (10)
6 3-560SMOKEY THE BANDIT 33 N Richards 7-10-13B Hughes
11-4 Morraman, 7-2 Angel of Harlem, 9-2 Cooldine Bog, 5-1 othersCheltenham
Rob Wright
12.15 I Am Maximus 2.35 Pileon (nb)
12.50 Eclair Surf 3.10 Guard Your Dreams
1.25 L’Homme Presse 3.50 Iliade Allen
2.00 Vienna Court (nap)
Going: soft Racing TV12.15 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
(Listed: £14,238: 2m 4f) (7 runners)
1 241-31DOCTOR KEN 43 O Murphy 6-11-7 A Coleman^127
2 21-11HILLCREST 28 (D) H Daly 7-11-7 R Patrick 114
3 1-31I AM MAXIMUS 17 N Henderson 6-11-7 N De Boinville 128
4 400-63JACK'S A LEGEND 17 A Jones 7-11-7 H Bannister 53
5 410-15MOT A MOT 29 (BF) N Henderson 6-11-7 J Bowen^119
6 F1-121PULL AGAIN GREEN 17 F O'Brien 6-11-7 P Brennan^127
7 34-211GET A TONIC 25 (D) D Skelton 6-11-0 H Skelton v 130
2-1 I Am Maximus, 5-2 Get A Tonic, 9-2 Hillcrest, 5-1 Doctor Ken, 10-1 Pull Again Green, 12-1 others.
12.50 New Four Eighty Restaurant At Cheltenham
Festival Handicap Chase (£13,008: 3m 2f) (12)
1 /5F-40BRAVE EAGLE 35 (P,D) N Henderson 10-11-12 N De Boinville v^149
2 50-332HONEST VIC 27 (B) H Daly 9-11-8 R Patrick 141
3 16/3P-NEWTIDE 315 (T) K Bailey 9-11-4 C Gethings --
4 42-2F3UNDERSUPERVISION 22 N Twiston-Davies 6-11-3 S Twiston-Davies 128
5 4302-4THE WOLF 21 (T,BF) O Murphy 8-11-3 A P Heskin 142
6 1P2-00FULL BACK 35 (D) G L Moore 7-11-2 Jamie Moore^138
7 551P-5SMOOTH STEPPER 31 (P,D) A Hales 13-11-2 H Bannister 144
8 410-F3ECLAIR SURF 28 E Lavelle 8-11-0 T Bellamy 115
9 /U412-DESTINEE ROYALE 283 (BF) V Williams 9-10-13 C Deutsch 135
10 61-65PPOTTERS LEGEND 14 (V,D) L Wadham 12-10-11 J Quinlan^138
11 6-122PBIG NASTY 28 (P,BF) M Keighley 9-10-3 S Bowen 129
12 135634 CAPTAIN TOMMY 16 D Bridgwater 8-10-1 B J Powell 116
7-2 Destinee Royale, 4-1 Honest Vic, 11-2 Undersupervision, 7-1 The Wolf, 10-1 Eclair Surf, 12-1 others.
1.25 Paddy Power Novices' Chase ITV
(Grade II: £31,322: 2m 5f) (9)
1 3-3014GLADIATEUR ALLEN 15 Mrs J Williams 6-11-3 Chester Williams^121
2 /16-11L'HOMME PRESSE 14 (D) V Williams 7-11-3 C Deutsch 124
3 1336-1COME ON TEDDY 25 T R George 8-11-0 J J Burke 132
4 213-12FANTASTIKAS 21 N Twiston-Davies 7-11-0 S Twiston-Davies v 140
5 /12P-FGALLYHILL 52 (BF) N Henderson 7-11-0 N De Boinville --
6 213-1UMILLERS BANK 36 A Hales 8-11-0 H Bannister 119
7 323-F3OSCAR ELITE 27 (T,BF) C Tizzard 7-11-0 B J Powell 118
8 -23660ZUREKIN 37 (T) Mrs S Leech 6-11-0 A P Heskin --
9 125-11THE GLANCING QUEEN 23 A King 8-10-12 T Cannon^122
7-4 L'Homme Presse, 11-4 Millers Bank, 9-2 The Glancing Queen, 10-1 Fantastikas, 12-1 Oscar Elite, Come On
Teddy, 14-1 Gladiateur Allen, 20-1 Gallyhill, 50-1 Zurekin.
Rob Wright’s choice: L’Homme Presse looked a good prospect when an impressive
winner at Ascot and there should be more to come Dangers Oscar Elite, Millers Bank
2.00 Paddy Power New Year's Day ITV
Handicap Chase (Grade III: £56,950: 2m 5f) (16)
1 2112-2FUNAMBULE SIVOLA 27 V Williams 7-11-12 C Deutsch v^166
2 /050-6JANIKA 84 (W,T) N Henderson 9-11-10 J Bowen 132
3 1/6-6PSIMPLY THE BETTS 28 (CD) P Nicholls 9-11-10 H Cobden 158
4 5P2-05MAGIC SAINT 50 (P,T,C) P Nicholls 8-11-6 T Buckley (5) 162
5 /33P-2RIDERS ONTHE STORM 28 (T,D) R Hobson 9-11-4 N Scholfield^120
6 44-2F1COOLE CODY 21 (CD) E Williams 11-11-4 A Wedge 151
7 P6-362ZANZA 21 (P) P Hobbs 8-11-4 T J O'Brien 150
8 1010-4ALNADAM 42 D Skelton 9-11-0 H Skelton 147
9 1-6433ESPOIR DE TEILLEE 35 T R George 10-10-12 D E Mullins^139
10 0/4P-2KAUTO RIKO 21 (P,T) T R Gretton 11-10-11 J J Burke^138
11 014/4-A TOI PHIL 357 (D) G L Moore 12-10-7 Jamie Moore --
12 443-31VIENNA COURT 22 (CD) N Twiston-Davies 7-10-6 S Twiston-Davies 136
13 31-35FGALAHAD QUEST 28 (T,BF) Nick Williams 6-10-5 D Noonan 139
14 2P0-01ADMIRAL BARRATRY 13 (V,D) L Wadham 9-10-3 A Coleman 132
15 11114-HIGH UP IN THE AIR 294 G L Moore 8-10-2 J M Davies^130
16 P-3505DEYRANN DE CARJAC 21 (D) A King 9-10-2 B J Powell 138
11-2 Coole Cody, 6-1 Alnadam, 13-2 Zanza, 7-1 Funambule Sivola, 10-1 Galahad Quest, Vienna Court, 12-1 Admiral
Barratry, 14-1 Riders Onthe Storm, Kauto Riko, High Up In The Air, Deyrann De Carjac.
Wright choice: Vienna Court had plenty in hand when successful here last month and
she still looks well handicapped despite a 12lb rise Dangers Zanza, Kauto Riko2.35 Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle ITV
(£13,008: 3m) (14)
1 00-0P6CRACKING SMART 23 (P,V,D) Mrs S Leech 10-11-12 C Leonard (5) 112
2 30-P14STONEY MOUNTAIN 42 (D) J Snowden 9-11-8 G Sheehan 144
3 1-4603ASK DILLON 22 (CD) F O'Brien 9-11-8 L Harrison (3) v^151
4 5-1221DOLPHIN SQUARE 36 (P,D) P Hobbs 8-11-6 Mr D Maxwell (3) 139
5 6P-F02BOTOX HAS 22 (P,C) G L Moore 6-11-6 Jamie Moore 147
6 P0-041PILEON 29 P Hobbs 8-11-4 B R Jones 133
7 65-020THE MIGHTY DON 28 (CD) N Gifford 10-11-3 J M Davies --
8 03-40PSPIRITOFTHEGAMES 35 (P) D Skelton 10-11-2 H Skelton^138
9 131-11TAMAR BRIDGE 28 O Murphy 7-11-1 A P Heskin 128
10 -11041MY BOBBY DAZZLER 28 M Rowley 7-10-13 A Edwards (3) 124
11 540-63WHATSUPWITHYOU 25 B Pauling 8-10-11 K Woods 135
12 U0-131KANSAS CITY CHIEF 22 (P,CD) N Mulholland 13-10-10 Victoria Malzard (7)^137
13 011-41ART APPROVAL 50 (C) F O'Brien 6-10-9 P Brennan 132
14 30-303SIROBBIE 58 D Bridgwater 8-10-5 B J Powell 129
4-1 Tamar Bridge, 11-2 Art Approval, 6-1 Pileon, 7-1 Botox Has, 10-1 Kansas City Chief, My Bobby Dazzler, Dolphin
Square, 12-1 Ask Dillon.
Wright choice: Pileon has returned to form this season and looked well suited by a
good test at this trip when winning at Sandown Park Dangers Ask Dillon, Art Approval3.10 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle ITV
(Grade II: £39,865: 2m 4f) (7)
1 5115-1BREWIN'UPASTORM 56 (T,D) O Murphy 9-11-6 A Coleman v 156
2 03-131GUARD YOUR DREAMS 21 (CD) N Twiston-Davies 6-11-6 S Twiston-Davies^148
3 13120-MCFABULOUS 268 (W) P Nicholls 8-11-6 H Cobden^146
4 402-21DANS LE VENT 42 (D) E Williams 9-11-4 Isabel Williams 145
5 365-26ON THE BLIND SIDE 14 (P,C,D) N Henderson 10-11-4 N De Boinville 149
6 02-162INDEFATIGABLE 21 (CD) P Webber 9-10-13 Doubtful 155
7 021-16STORMY IRELAND 34 (D) W P Mullins (Ire) 8-10-13 D E Mullins^150
2-1 Brewin'upastorm, 3-1 McFabulous, 5-1 Stormy Ireland, Indefatigable, 8-1 Guard Your Dreams, 10-1 others.
Wright choice: Guard Your Dreams won at this level over two miles here last month;
he will appreciate this return to further Danger Stormy Ireland3.50 Pony Club 'Junior' NH Flat Race
(Listed: 4-Y-O: £14,238: 1m 6f) (15)
1 13 ALAZWAR 53 (BF,D) A Watson 10-12 G Sheehan v 113
2 2 A SHINING MOON 53 E J-Houghton 10-12 B R Jones^111
3 BEYOND BOUNDARIES A Balding 10-12 S Bowen --
4 0 COPPERKIN 30 B Millman 10-12 D Noonan --
5 DIAMOND EGG C Gordon 10-12 T Cannon --
6 13 IDEALDES VILLERETS 35 M Rowley 10-12 A Edwards^67
7 31 LEGIONAR 56 M Harris 10-12 M Bastyan 112
8 2 MAMOON STAR 88 F O'Brien 10-12 C Brace 103
9 12 MR SUNDANCER 21 J Portman 10-12 C Deutsch 91
10 ROYAL MAX N Henderson 10-12 N De Boinville --
11 45 SCUD 30 Seamus Mullins 10-12 Jamie Moore^95
12 3 CHIC AVENUE 28 Mrs P Sly 10-5 K Woods --
13 31 ILIADE ALLEN 45 (D) Nick Williams 10-5 Chester Williams 111
14 2 KIMBERLEY EVE 30 (T) I Williams 10-5 S Twiston-Davies --
15 11 POETIC MUSIC 17 F O'Brien 10-5 P Brennan^103
3-1 Poetic Music, 13-2 Royal Max, 8-1 Legionar, Iliade Allen, 10-1 Beyond Boundaries, 12-1 Alazwar, 14-1 others.Vienna Court can continue rise for Twiston-Davies
Vienna Court relished a step up in
trip when an easy winner over this
course and distance last time and she
can stage a repeat in the Paddy Power
New Year’s Day Handicap Chase
(2.00) at Cheltenham today.
This mare had shaped well when
third on her reappearance in a listed
race at Bangor but her latest effort
represented a big step forward and
she had even more in hand than the
11-length winning margin suggests.
She was ridden more patiently
than usual there, which appeared to
suit, and there could well be more to
come now that connections have
found the key to her.
A 1lb rise in the weights looks fair
given the ease of her success and she
can give her trainer, Nigel Twiston-
Davies, a fourth win in this race in
seven years.
Zanza is fitted with cheekpieces for
the first time after a good second to
Coole Cody here last monthand has
to be respected, while Kauto Riko has
the same headgear applied and is well
treated on his best form.
Pileon looks the one to beat in the
Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle
(2.35). He lost his way when tried over
fences last season but has bounced
back to form this term, following a
promising fourth at Aintree with an
easy win at Sandown Park.
He remains well treated on his best
form — which includes a close
second at the 2020 Cheltenham
Festival — and Pileon is open tofurther improvement after only two
tries at this three-mile trip.
Guard Your Dreams can take the
grade two Dornan Engineering Relk-
eel Hurdle (3.10). He claimed a first
win at this level when beating Song
For Someone in the International
Hurdle here last month and this
longer trip is in his favour.
Eclair Surf is also worth an interest
in the New Four Eighty Restaurant
At Cheltenham Festival Handicap
Chase (12.50). He was travelling well
before a blunder at Chepstow last
time and remains open to progress
given a good test of stamina.
At Musselburgh, First Impression
looks well treated in the Betway
Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle
(2.10). He can make amends for an
early blunder at this track last time.Rob Wright Racing Editor
ROB WRIGHT’S WEEKEND GUIDE
Big-race trends
New Year’s Day Handicap
Chase (2.00 Cheltenham)
Nigel Twiston-Davies has been the
trainer to follow in this competitive
handicap, saddling four winners of this
race, including three of the past six. He
relies on Vienna Court to start the new
year in style this time aroundBanker or bust?
L’Homme Presse
(1.25 Cheltenham)
This lightly raced French import has won
three of his four starts in Britain and
impressed at Ascot despite a tendency
to jump to his left. This left-handed track
should suit him even better and he will
be hard to beat. BANKERRed-hot trainer
Jeremy ScottThe Somerset handler has had three
winners, three seconds and two thirds
from 12 runners in the past week. He
saddles three runners at Exeter todayRepeat performance
McFabulous
(3.10 Cheltenham)
This race was staged at Kempton last
year, so his success there is no guide to
his chance today. He does have fair form
claims, though, and has had an
operation to help with his breathing
since last seasonWhat’s in a name?
Tea Time On Mars
(2.25 Exeter)
This gelding is an offspring of the sire,
Schiaparelli, while his dam was called
Darjeeling. While most will be familiar
with Darjeeling being a type of tea,
Schiaparelli was a spacecraft that was
sent to Mars — but crashed on landingBet of the day
Vienna Court
(2.00 Cheltenham)
The style of her latest success over this
course and distance suggested there
was more to come now that connections
have found the key to her.£22 1GS Saturday January 1 2022 | the times
Sport Racing