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2.03 Musselburgh

bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase, 3m7½f

SAM HARDY

1 Flower Of Scotland

2 Rapper

3 Mighty Thunder

The manner in which Flower Of Scotland won at Ayr last time out, easing down at the end, suggests the eight-year-old could still be ahead of the handicapper. The Sandy Thomson stable won this in 2018 and has every chance of a repeat win. Mighty Thunder has not shown anywhere near his true level of form recently, but could still run a place if on a going day.

JAMES HILL

1 Captain Cattistock

2 Slipway

3 One More Fleurie

I think Captain Cattistock can win this again. He’s 7lb higher than last year, but he’s stepped up on that effort in all three subsequent starts, including another victory at Cheltenham. He looks the most solid of the principals. Ian Williams and Sandy Thomson have live contenders, while Ben Pauling could send Slipway up to Scotland given he’s done so before successfully. He wouldn’t want rain.

MADDY PLAYLE

1 Flower Of Scotland

2 Doyen Breed

3 Slipway

A 6lb rise for Rapper could be enough to stop him against a field of fascinating contenders and he could go to Sandown. Slipway is still improving, but the trainer who holds the key is Sandy Thomson. A decent novice chaser last year, Doyen Breed looks on an attractive mark while Flower Of Scotland bolted up on her first try at four miles last time.

STUART REDDING

1 Captain Cattistock

2 Flower Of Scotland

3 The Jam Man

This is a unique test so I’m sticking with Captain Cattistock, who proved he has the right characteristics for it when winning last year’s renewal. He only did just enough that day but produced a slightly better performance when following up at Cheltenham in April and two spins at Prestbury Park before Christmas should ensure he is cherry ripe for this return to Musselburgh.

SATURDAY REST OF ITV

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2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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