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.
THE new nine-fixture Musselburgh jumps season sees in-form Magnolia bids for a hat-trick in the 100% Racing TV Profits back To Racing Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
Trained in Middleham by Micky Hammond, she fairly romped to back-to-back victories at Kelso earlier this autumn by an aggregate of 14-lengths.
She was raised 8lbs for her first success and, under a 7lb penalty today, she is 4lbs ‘well in’ for the latest strike ten-days ago having gone up a further 11lbs for future engagements.
Brian Hughes was aboard for her first win while Josh Thompson, who claims a handy 7lb allowance, takes the ride as he did last time.
The opposition to Magnolia includes Nicky Richards-trained Lowlands, who tackles handicap for the first time after just two spins over hurdles.
Carluke permit-holder Andrew Hamilton will be hoping a return to two miles will see Nathan Wells regain the winning thread in the ERMG Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase.
After winning two in-a-row over this trip at Perth in September and October, it looked like his stamina didn’t last out over nearly 2m 4f at Ayr 16-days ago.
The main danger could be Laura Morgan-trained mare My Portia, who showed signs of a form revival when runner-up at Hereford on her seasonal return recently.