1.30pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 03/01/2017

Despite the field of seven, this looks a very competitive handicap chase where a case can be made for most of these, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: In his current vein of form FORMIDABLEOPPONENT is going to take a lot of beating, winning 5 times since September, placing three other times in 2nd place and unseating once. Conditions are in his favour once again and another bold run can be expected of the 10 year old, with the also inform Proud Gamble the likely main danger.

1 SUE OSCAR – Out of form over hurdles of late, arguably in conditions that weren’t to suit. Returning to good ground will be a help, as will going back to chasing but does have something to find off top weight and best watched today.

2 FORMIDABLEOPPONENT – In rampant form since September, winning 5 times in a row, before a string of 2nd places and one unseat. He was incredibly unlucky over shorter here last time out in December (2m 3f, Good), going down narrowly by a neck and the step back up in trip is no problem at all for this versatile 10 year old. He should take all the beating today.

3 GOLDEN INVESTMENT – Winning pointer and hurdler who made a great start to life in this sphere when a good 2nd at Wetherby latest (3m,  Good to Soft). Has lots of potential for the inform Donald McCain yard and conditions suit today, so has to be respected.

4 REV UP RUBY – Won off a 5lb higher mark over hurdles in November at this track but is yet to convince over fences in three runs. Needs to find something today and others have stronger claims.

5 DREAM FLYER – Hasn’t been seen since May when a long 3rd at Market Rasen (2m 7f, Good), not completely disgraced but weakened quickly after the final fence. Makes his stable debut off a workable mark today for Keith Dalgleish and would have solid each way claims if returning at near his best, so deserves a second look.

6 PROUD GAMBLE – Twice a winner over C&D in recent months, the latest of which came in December by a diminishing margin due to him idling up the run in.  Judging by his good form figures of 212131 he may still be improving and has to be respected today, as he does hold Formidableopponent on a run over C&D in November, but that rival was giving him over a stone and he only just won by a neck that day.

7 SHINE A DIAMOND – 8lb out of handicap and despite running well over C&D here back in December, he does seem like an unlikely winner today, meeting Proud Gamble again on worse terms. If building on that latest effort however he would have each way claims.