2.30pm Musselburgh Tips & Betting Preview 03/01/2017

11 runners go to post for a class 4 handicap hurdle raced over 2m 7f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A lot of these are out of form and have something to prove, but one who doesn’t is SHOTOFWINE. Upped in trip on his latest start at Market Rasen, he travelled well throughout the race to forge clear in the closing stages to a 4 length victory. Still thoroughly unexposed at this trip and lightly raced, he should be the one to beat today for Brian Harding and Nicky Richards. The main danger is likely to be Andhaar who has been consistent of late but hasn’t won since October 2015.

1 BURNT SIENNA – Hasn’t been disgraced in recent times, with his penultimate 6th of 17 at Uttoxeter back in September a good effort (2m 7f, Good). He isn’t the most consistent however and his latest tailed off effort at Downpatrick proves that, and top weight will be difficult for him. Doesn’t strike as the likeliest type but each way claims if at his best.

2 LANDMARQUE – Showed some promise in bumpers but has been very inconsistent since, finishing pulled up at Hexham on his latest start despite showing abillity when 3rd of 12 at Carlisle back in October (2m 4f, Soft). Needs more today if he’s to feature and probably best watched.

3 SHOTOFWINE – Showed ability in bumpers but had been poor in the main over hurdles until winning nicely on his latest start at Market Rasen (2m 7f, Good), upped markedly in trip that day. Still thoroughly unexposed at this trip and conditions are fine today, so this lightly raced 8 year old should take all the beating today.

4 QUEST MAGIC – Showed some good form in the context of this race back in 2015  but hasn’t shown much this season, with no real efforts of note thus far in three runs. Needs this step up in trip to have a drastic effect for him to be involved today.

5 MR WHITMORE – Lightly raced 7 year old who hasn’t shown much form of note since bumpers, with only a third place at Hexham in May to show for his efforts (2m 4f, Good). Unlikely to feature today.

6 CRUACHAN – Consistent in main but has a very poor record of 1-26 under rules, which doesn’t inspire much confidence for win purposes. In with a shout of placing if reproducing his best form but unlikely to land a blow for win purposes.

7 ANDHAAR – 11 year old who still performs admirably despite his age, and showed he still has the ability when 4th over C&D last month. Consistency is something most of these don’t have so its nice to see and is the most likely to capitalise should the selection blow out, but is probably vulnerable today.

8 ROBINS LEGEND – Hasn’t shown a great deal in novice hurdles so far, struggling to beat rivals at huge prices in four runs. Handicap debut today so could improve but unlikely to be involved today.

9 RASCO – Has been struggling since returning from a 2 year absence, only completing one of his three starts this season, which was a mediocre 9th of 18 at Fairyhouse in November (2m 4f, Soft). Conditions are fine today but doesn’t strike as a likely type today.

10 BRACING – Not being firing this season with lots of midfield efforts, including her latest 5th at Newcastle in November (3m, Good to Soft). She is however now on the same mark she was when winning over 3 miles here back in February 2015 and has solid each way claims.

11 MOSCOW CALLING – Only raced 5 times under rules but has shown nothing of note in any of those runs, beating six rivals from a total of 43. New trip for handicap debut but hard to be at all confident about his claims today.