Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Last year’s runner-up Corrigeen Rock, trained by Lucinda Russell, bids to go one better in the £40,000 Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase at Musselburgh.
Twelve months ago he was beaten three and three-quarter lengths into second place with Half Shot, who also runs again, a well-beaten third.
Russell, doubled-handed as Indian Louis joins his stablemate in the line-up, said: “‘Rocky’ is as tough as they come and he won the Scottish Champion Chase over course and distance last February. We are slightly limited with him as he needs to go right-handed but this is a track that clearly suits him.”
Other rivals include Gold Des Bois, the horse that supplied owner Ray Green with his 500th winner when successful at Kelso in November.
In the other feature race, the £30,000 Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle, Sandy Thomson-trained Benson attempts to follow up his victory in the same race in 2024.
He has since dropped 4lbs below that winning mark as a result of some moderate efforts over hurdles and fences.
The likely favourite is last year’s impressive Scottish Triumph Hurdle hero Liari saddled by fourteen-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.