15:20 Musselburgh

It’s interesting that connections have opted for Musselburgh on New Year’s Day rather than Haydock last week for the improving HOLMES ST GEORGES. This is a bigger pot and if we get the rain that is forecast perhaps conditions will be more to his liking as he won in heavy last time. He made an emphatic start in handicap company winning by 13 lengths over shorter here last month and even up 9lb I think he is going to be a danger to all.

I loved the way he travelled through the race and the horse he was beating into second Whizz Kid is certainly no mug. He is obviously open to significant improvement on just his fourth start over hurdles and he looks good value in my book. He goes back up in trip which will suit too and he looks to have a big chance. Ilanz is on a hat-trick after winning at Market Rasen and Taunton and looks the danger but the handicapper has had his say raising him 12lb.

Holmes St Georges - 1pt