Musselburgh
Tomorrow, February 1, 2025ChaseClass 22m4f
Verdict
Verdict
MARBLE SANDS was no match for Springwell Bay in a valuable Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day but there was no disgrace in that and the 9-y-o, who was successful over C&D on his sole previous visit here 12 months ago, is taken to make it 2-2 at this course. There should be better to come from The Kalooki Kid and he is a much-respected main danger, while Fidelio Vallis, who looks the pick of the Harry Derham-trained trio, and Saint Segal are others to consider.
Marble Sands
The Kalooki Kid
Fidelio Vallis
Win or Each Way
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places
- 10. The Kalooki KidJ: Danny McMenaminT: Nicky RichardsF: 311485-21
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 10-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 131
- Days Since Last Run:
- 49
VerdictDual hurdles winner last season, including a novice event at this course, and confirmed promise of his reappearance/chase debut second at Ayr when readily going one better in a 19f Doncaster handicap in December. 7 lb rise fair enough and he should have more to offer in this sphere. 
7. Saint SegalJ: David NoonanT: Mrs Jane WilliamsF: 2U36-4751- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-1
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 137
- Days Since Last Run:
- 45
VerdictImproved to win 6-runner handicap chase at Newbury (19.8f) 24 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Relished the switch to front-running tactics that day and while more will be needed up 8 lb in this tougher race, he has to enter calculations.- 3. Marble SandsJ: Nick SlatterT: David Killahena & Graeme McPhersonF: 14P16-132
- Price History:
- 7.00
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 11-7
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 143
- Days Since Last Run:
- 31
VerdictUseful hurdler who scored twice over fences last term and made a winning return in 4-runner listed race at Carlisle in November. Has followed that with solid placed efforts in valuable handicaps at Newcastle and Cheltenham, and he is likely to make his presence felt once again. 
1. Minella DramaJ: Brian HughesT: Donald McCainF: 3/2372P-1P- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 10
- Weight:
- 12-0
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 150
- Days Since Last Run:
- 55
VerdictSmart performer who was given a well-judged ride when taking the Old Roan at Aintree in October. Ran poorly in the Peterborough Chase since, adding to what is starting to look like a patchy record, but he was a C&D winner on sole previous start here and he's certainly capable of a bold show.- 6. Fidelio VallisJ: Alice StevensT: Harry DerhamF: 2/241-P6
- Price History:
- 9.50
- Age:
- 10
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 140
- Days Since Last Run:
- 36
VerdictResumed winning ways when outpointing Corrigeen Rock in C&D handicap last January. Little impact both subsequent starts under an inexperienced amateur but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back in first-time cheekpieces now returned to this course and reunited with Alice Stevens 
8. Traprain LawJ: Patrick WadgeT: Lucinda RussellF: 31512-344- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-1
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 137
- Days Since Last Run:
- 36
VerdictProgressed into a useful chaser last term, winning twice and runner-up in a good-quality handicap at the Ayr Scottish Grand National meeting. Promising start to this season when third to Marble Sands at Carlisle but has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent appearances.
5. Arizona CardinalJ: Ciaran GethingsT: Stuart EdmundsF: 1PP111-P8- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 11-5
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 141
- Days Since Last Run:
- 50
VerdictCompleted the hat-trick when landing the 24-runner Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree last spring. Some way below that level of form in 2 starts so far this season, though, and it's easy enough to look elsewhere on this occasion.
4. Corrigeen RockJ: Alan DoyleT: Lucinda RussellF: 61/1421-6P- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 11-6
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 142
- Days Since Last Run:
- 31
VerdictLooked better than ever when winning this race off 3 lb higher 12 months ago but he has a bit to prove following a couple of very low-key efforts since returning to action in November.
12. Kansas City StarJ: James BowenT: Harry DerhamF: 151-0691P- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 10-8
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 130
- Days Since Last Run:
- 14
VerdictCheekpieces back on when returning to form with a win in 7-runner handicap chase at Doncaster (19f) in November. However, he followed that with a poor effort at Ascot a fortnight ago and Fidelio Vallis is presumably the stable No 1.
9. Sir PsychoJ: Paul O'BrienT: Harry DerhamF: 12U42-F62- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 10-13
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 135
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictMade a successful reappearance at Ascot last season and runner-up 3 times since, including on his latest start at Ffos Las (2m) 3 weeks ago. Moving back up in trip won't be an issue but yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Fidelio Vallis.
2. The Big ChapJ: Gavin Peter BrouderT: Paul W. Flynn, IrelandF: 3014173P- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 11-10
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 146
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictSuccessful at Limerick and Gowran during the autumn and ran a fine race to be third in a 19-runner listed handicap at Navan in December. However, he checked out rather tamely on his latest start and others look better treated.
11. Lieutenant CommandJ: Harry ReedT: Tim ReedF: F5P16/0-P2- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 11
- Weight:
- 10-8
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 130
- Days Since Last Run:
- 48
VerdictBumper/hurdles and dual chase winner for Noel Meade in Ireland. Offered little starting out for this yard following a lengthy absence in November and while he stepped up on that when second at Carlisle next time, it remains to be see if he will be in the same form here.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
- The Field