angeleyz

the 3.00 at musselburgh is a novice chase over 2m4f but im not sure if it will quite live up to its race name of scottish future champions, as looking at the seven runners lining up for this, i think they look a bit below champion standard. the nicky henderson trained ericht has been put in around 9/4 favourite for this and i will certainly be laying this one to my maximum.

for me he has been very disappointing overall. his best effort in my opinion came at last years cheltenham festival when finishing 5th to medinas in the coral cup but his three efforts since have been way below that performance. when seen last, he ran a shocker at kemptons boxing day fixture finishing tailed off in a novices handicap chase behind loose chips. his previous run when 2nd to funny star, who reopposes here, was better and he does meet that rival on much better terms here. but it is interesting that it came on good ground and with overnight rain turning the ground soft, i'm not sure this is going to suit. i also think that funny star has improved since that race. his performance last time out when beating cape dutch at taunton looked very progressive and was possibly a good 10lbs better. this is far from a two horse race though and in fact there are a couple that i prefer to the two market leaders.

nicky hendersons other runner top of the range has a much better profile in my opinion. i thought he made a very promising start to his chase career when beating titchwood by just over a length at ascot and looks the type to improve for that run.

witness in court pulled up on his chase debut, but left that form well behind next time when making all the running to beat jet master by 8 lengths over 2m at this venue. that was undoubtedly a career best by donald mccain's 7-year-old and certainly better than anything ericht has shown so far.


so for me it's a maximum lay of ericht and as for who will win, well i think it's a toss up between witness in court and top of the range.

best of luck to anyone having a bet