Channel 4 cameras will be in Scotland on New Year’s Day to cover two races on the Musselburgh card. The pick of the action is undoubtedly the Hogmaneigh Hurdle and there are more than one reason for believing that New Year’s Eve will be a very appropriate winner!
John Ferguson trains the five-year-old son of Motivator who was a very smart bumper horse. After easy victories in low grade events at Ludlow and Market Rasen, he was taken to Cheltenham to contest the Champion Bumper.
Sent off the well-backed 9-2 favourite, he found only Champagne Fever too good in the closing stages and went down by a length and a quarter. A win over hurdles seemed to be a formality for the following season but he came up against some smart opponents in River Mague and Ptit Zig before breaking a blood vessel in February.
He was brought back in August and seemed to struggle to get home when beaten at Stratford and Huntington. He then broke his duck over hurdles when cantering to a comfortable success in a match race at Worcester.
The biggest concern for Denis O’Regan was pulling him up after the winning post as he seemed intent on going round again! Admittedly it can be unwise to take such form into a competitive handicap like this but if he has retained his ability he must be well weighted here.
The dangers include Newbury winner Ifandbutwhynot who made all before clearing away from Chatterbox and Chris Pea Green. Neither of those did much for the form at Ascot in the Ladbroke Hurdle but that was a strong heat so the winner has to be competitive here.
Brian Ellison’s Ultimate is another interesting contender having won on the flat and over fences. He clearly has plenty of speed as he won at Catterick over a mile and a half in October so this drop back to hurdles should not be a negative.
Zaplamation is on a hat-trick after winning twice at Wetherby, showing battling qualities on both occasions. My only concern with New Year’s Eve is the fact that he has broken blood vessels in the past and he may not find that much for pressure. Zaplamation will be among those looking to take advantage if the likely favourite drops away tamely.
Hidden Justice and Local Hero will find winning opportunities this season but this looks a tough assignment at the weights.
New Year’s Eve at 6-1 William Hill
